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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

Chap.. Copyright No. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



WASHINGTON 

A NATIONAL EPIC 
IN SIX CANTOS c2« 



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BY EDWARD JOHNSON RUNK 




G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 
NEW YORK AND LONDON 

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1897 



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Copyright, 1897 

BY 

EDWARD JOHNSON RUNK 
Entered at Stationers' Hall, London 



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Dedicated 

TO 

THE PEOPLE 

OF 

THE UNITED STATES OF 
AMERICA 



PREFACE 



THE following poem was written at Cold 
Spring in the Hudson Highlands during 
the summer months which succeeded the cen- 
tennial celebration of Washington's inaugura- 
tion as first President of the United States, 
April 30, 1 789-1889. Circumstances have de- 
layed its publication until the present time. 

To one residing in the Hudson Highlands the 
inspirations of mountain scenery are associated 
with historic memories of the romantic revolu- 
tionary period. As yet no one, to our know- 
ledge, had wov^en or attempted to weave in 
unity of person and place the poetic thoughts, 
which nature and history here suggest in won- 
derful richness and importance. 

So marvelous has been the growth of our 
country that the revolutionary epoch may ap- 
pear relatively more remote than it really is, 
and to the young and the many who have come 



Vi PREFACE, 



from other countries to our shores a halo of 
romance may envelop the persons of the heroes 
of that age. 

The nobility of his character, the difificulties 
with which he successfully contended, the im- 
portance of the humane principles for which he 
labored in conjuncton with his fellow-citizens, 
render Washington as inspiring and honorable 
a character for poetic tribute as may be found 
among the imperfect children of mortality. 

The following lines find in Washington unity 
of person, in the Hudson Highlands unity of 
place, in the American Revolution unity of his- 
tory, and in the principles of constitutional 
republicanism unity of philosophy. The order 
of cantos is historic; their names are taken 
from places around us that have been centres of 
revolutionary association ; and, while the prin- 
cipal events of such places have been elaborated 
in the respective cantos, the aim has been to 
maintain historic continuity and trace the rela- 
tive significance of local occurrences in the 
totality of the general movement. The first 
canto, " Constitution Island," describes the 
advent of free principles to our country, the 
fortifications early erected in the place that 
names the canto, and the course of events until 
Burgoyne's campaign in 1777, at which time 



PREFA CE. VI 1 



the three forts, Montgomery, Clinton, and 
Constitution, came into prominence. To the 
second canto the name " The Three Forts " is 
therefore given, and Clinton's diversion in Bur- 
goyne's favor is described, with the brilliant 
resistance of our men at the Forts Montgomery 
and Clinton. A description of succeeding 
events follows in the third canto, " Stony 
Point," showing the condition of affairs, when 
Wayne made his gallant and successful mid- 
night charge upon that important post; and 
account of this action gives a climax to the 
canto. The richness of association at West 
Point naturally tended to make the fourth 
canto, so named, the longest. The origin of 
the works there, the complot of Arnold and 
Andr^ against its safety, the celebration of the 
dauphin's birth, the location of the military 
academy and the services of its graduates have 
suggested many lines. In the fifth canto, 
" Fishkill," we have described the army of the 
revolution patiently waiting, even amid suffer- 
ing, until the final success at Yorktown crowned 
their endurance with victory. The reminis- 
cences of constitutional convention, army en- 
campment, hospital, and prison have been 
alluded to, and the memories of Cold Spring 
woven into the tale of the Marquis de Chastel- 



Vlll PREFACE. 



lux's journey. Newburgh has given title to 
the last canto, in which Washington's wisdom 
in dealing with the army stationed there has 
been extolled, the excursion to Peekskill to 
receive the French on their homeward journey 
described, and the closing scenes of disband- 
ment of our army at Newburgh after cessation 
of hostilities set forth. 

The writer would acknowledge his indebted- 
ness to the many historians and other authori- 
ties consulted for matters w^hich he has 
endeavored so to use that truth should not be 
invaded by imagination. Truth is often high- 
est art ; and the story of our patriotic ancestors' 
struggle for constitutional freedom has its own 
charm for true patriots. If the writer's lines 
shall have stimulated reverence and gratitude 
for past worthies and sympathy with the patri- 
otic principles which animated them, his labor 
will have been repaid. Notes have been added 
to throw light on a few points in the poem ; 
and a later edition may be embellished with 
appropriate illustrations. 

The historic places around Schuylerville, New 
York, where Burgoyne's army was surrendered, 
have been happily designated by the erection 
of memorial bronze tablets, and the suggestion 
occurs whether our wealthy residents on both 



PREFACE. IX 



sides of the river in the Highlands may not be 
moved to similar patriotic offerings to perpet- 
uate to posterity the revolutionary associations 
of their own neighborhood. In such tributes 
to olden worth and valor the prophecy of 
Washington in his orders, announcing the ces- 
sation of hostilities, may find additional fulfill- 
ment : " Happy, thrice happy, shall they be 
pronounced hereafter, who shall have con- 
tributed anything, who have performed the 
meanest ofifice, in erecting this stupendous 
fabric of freedom and empire on the broad 
basis of independency; who have assisted in 
protecting the rights of human nature, and 
establishing an asylum for the poor and op- 
pressed of all nations and religions." 

It is hoped that as the children and people 
of Greece and Rome imbibed the national spirit 
from Homer's Iliad and Virgil's ^neid re- 
spectively, and as the various nations of mod- 
ern Europe have their respective epics, as the 
Italians Dante's Divine Comedy and Tasso's 
Jerusalem Delivered^ the Portuguese The 
Lusiad of De Camoens, the English Spenser's 
Faerie Queene and Milton's Paradise Lost, so 
the children and youth and the people of the 
United States at large, as well as of the States 
where the revolutionary history in particular 



PRE FA CE. 



occurred, may so read and study this centennial 
epic as to find in it not only an intellectual dis- 
cipline but also a refreshing fount of purest 
patriotism. 

Edward J. Runk. 

Sept. 17, 1897. 





x/ 



Preface . . . . 


i o. 






PAGE 
V 


Canto First 








I 


Canto Second 








26 


Canto Third 








52 


Canto Fourth . 








74 


Canto Fifth 








102 


Canto Sixth 








120 


Notes to Canto First 








137 


Notes to Canto Second 








145 


Notes to Canto Third 








151 


Notes to Canto Fourth 








155 


Notes to Canto Fifth 








. 161 


Notes to Canto Sixth 








. 164 



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WASHINGTON 

A NATIONAL EPIC IN SIX CANTOS 



CANTO FIRST 

CONSTITUTION ISLAND 
I 

FAIR time and region of our land, 
Whose memories join us to the band 
Of heroes that for freedom stood ! 
From silver stream and mountain wood, 
'Neath open sky, 'mid nature grand 
We celebrate the law's demand ' 
For governmental form secure 
In Federal union to assure 
The people of their hard-bought right 
From thraldom of tyrannic might. 
O Freedom fair, o'er all the earth 



WASHINGTON. 

Reveal thy bright celestial birth ! 
Infinitude perfection finds; 
But human hearts that sinning blinds 
Lose liberty of vision clear, 
And toilsome agitate with fear. 
Roaming migration peopled lands, 
And mind along with body stands 
Enlightened in the course of years, 
For freedom yearning oft in tears, 
Enriched, ennobled by the dawn. 
Advanced to loftier height and lawn 
Of emerald hope, unfading faith, 
When worldliness sees but a wraith. 



II 



In Egypt Israel lay enslaved ; ' 

To Sinai's mount led forth and saved. 

Divinest law conserved their state. 

Adorned by kings and prophets great. 

From Persian servitude redeemed 

The tribes the synagogues esteemed 

As keepers of prophetic sign, 

Precursor in Davidic line 

Of the Messiah, one Divine, 

Through whom their stately glories shine 

With Israel's sad captivity 

Mark Grecia's bold democracy, 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND, 

Resistance of the Persian's hordes, 
When Maratlion defeats his lords, 
And saves broad Europe from the lash 
Of puerile, oriental, trash. 
Demosthenes for freedom strove 
To keep the city of his love, 
Proud Athens, from Macedon's gold. 
And Philip's phalanx southward rolled. 
In art fair Hellas stood supreme, 
A sculptured, architectural dream, 
In philosophic fancy great 
And schools of thought to speculate 
On mind and matter and the state, 
Plato's Republic and the weight 
Of Aristotle's practical pate 
In Politics, the world's debate. 



Ill 



When Grecia languished in decline, 

The Roman rose with legal sign. 

Twelve massive tables marked the right 

Of citizens exempt from might 

Of kings expelled, while consuls twain 

The independences maintain 

Domestic and abroad in war. 

Patricians, from plebeians far 

In peace, prepared, with Carthage felled. 



WASHINGTON. 

To circle Asia vast, compelled 
The Alexandrian power to yield, 
Chaldean and Egyptian field, 
To Caesar's universal sway, 
Enforced by legions in array. 
With proconsuls imperious, 
Taxation, justice serious, 
And unity of law imposed. 
The heathen empire was composed, 
Till, 'neath Teutonic fury pressed. 
The Roman weakness lay confessed ; 
Yet in death grapple won a day 
Of life for legalistic sway, 
The jural form, the civil power, 
The language of the learned hour. 
While, mixed with Hebrew thought. 
And blended as the Grecian wrought 
In art supreme, Rome's hand is seen 
In pontiff Hne, where kings had been. 



IV 



The language-pierced from Shinar's plain 
Were scattered o'er the broad domain 
Of earth's thick forests, mountains high, 
And swelling streams or wadies dry, 
Pelasgic Greek and Roman brave 
Precede the Kelt and Teuton wave 



CONSTITUTION ISIAND. 

Barbaric, surging to the West. 
Druidic sylvan verdure best 
From these the Gothic art addressed, 
In mythologic thought confessed 
By us in names of weekly days, 
While free assemblies, votes and ways 
Of tribal rule, for woman fear 
And truth's dominion kept severe, 
Conserved the race of modern hope, 
Prepared the states 'neath feudal cope, 
And gallant kings for chivalry, 
And crusades vast beyond the sea. 
In these behold the nations one. 
To rescue lands by Muslim won, 
For freedom battling, ideal high, 
A cross, a hope, beyond the sky, 
And feudal lords, devoutly led, 
Of vast dominions vastly bled. 
Consolidating monarchies 
By weakening aristocracies. 

V 

O myriad-treasured Nature, Queen ® 

Benignant with devices seen 

At last subservient to free 

Mankind from crude captivity! 

Phenicia spread her sails to bring 

The goods and thoughts on helpful wing 



WASHINGTON. 

Of nations distant o'er the sea, 
In trade one in fraternity, 
Enriched through her with alphabet, 
Whose origins, in Egypt set, 
Vie with the Chinese boasted arts. 
And all the warlike, deadly, darts. 
The moderns add the powder charged 
With flaming death to hosts enlarged, 
Diseased from cumbrous coats of mail 
That melt as snow beneath the hail 
Of bullets beating as a flail. 
The type and printed page diffuse 
To many minds the learned views; 
And magnet needles loose from shore 
The timid vessels that before 
Knew not the open, boistrous, sea, 
Nor continent of liberty. 
Fair Italy the laws of trade 
In banks and bills and vessels made. 
Prepared from Genoa to give 
Columbus for the world to live. 



VI 



Brave soul that ventured'st o'er the mere 

After eight years of pleading near 

To expectation or despair. 

Buoyed up by Christian faith most rare! 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. J 

'Mid Summer and Autumnal days 

Thou sailed'st o'er the watery ways, 

Till on October morn the land 

Descried proved harbinger of grand 

Republics, and asylum large 

For men fleeing before the charge 

Of persecution, bringing here 

A new foundation, hope to cheer. 

Emancipate, and Christianize; 

While Redmen made the white man wise 

To till and use new herbs and foods. 

Exchanging with Europa's goods. 

Bearer of worth, O Christopher! * 

Columbus, dove then sent over 

To find a resting place where man 

Might disembark, republican. 

VII 

Meanwhile the Teuton kindreds move 
In restiveness profound 'gainst love 
Of Roman chain of Church supreme, 
By schism rent, a dismal dream 
Of discord, shameful to the heart 
That sought sincere the better part. 
Obedient to the voice divine, 
That bears the branches, deathless Vine. 
Now blew bold Luther clarion loud. 
That tore by faith the shriveled shroud 



WASHINGTON. 

Of legalistic fetters proud 

That kept the masses prison cowed. 

Shrewd Calvin gave the world new form 

Of olden liberty the norm, 

For people led from durance long 

In England, lifting high the song 

Of pure ideals, while Holland staunch 

The federal ship will duly launch, 

And shake the Spanish thraldom down, 

And found the new world's empire town. 

VIII 

O England, white-cliffed, wave-girt isle!" 

Home of the British Arthur, while 

He fought the pagan Saxon stout, 

In turn by Normans put to rout, 

What time victorious William led 

His chivalry at Hastings red 

With vanquished slain, or turned and fled 

King Harold's warriors, hard bestead. 

The barons wrested chartered right 

From trembling, royal, selfish might ; 

And yeomen bold in Parliament, 

Or French or roseate wars resent 

Encroachment on their liberty, 

Till to the fall of papacy 

They add the axe to monarchy, 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 

While Cromwell rules on land and sea, 
With warriors stern and Harrison,' 
Whose honored scions twain have won 
The chieftainship in later day 
And state beyond the ocean way, 
Whose freedom throve, when Stuarts fledj 
And William, Prince of Orange, led 
The revolution to the throne. 
Whence kings the people's power own. 



IX 



Her colonies beyond the sea 

Erelong proved England's greater glory. 

Though Puritans for refuge came, 

And romance heightens Raleigh's name. 

The Baltimores taught tolerance. 

And commerce might the Dutch enhance. 

The jealous Indian's war-whoop wild. 

The slaughter of the wife and child. 

Gaunt war, disease, and famine dread 

Proved valor to adventure wed, 

And union sure, by danger bred. 

Of colonies in armies led. 

From Canada the Bourbon went ; 

And England claimed the continent; 

Till waxing poor, and long waxed proud. 

Her nobles wrapped their Stamp-Act shroud 



10 WA SHING TON. 



Secure around their feeble state, 
Awakening to the loud debate 
Adams, Henry, and Franklin great.' 

X 

Hail, Congress of colonial days ! ^ 
In New York met, devising ways 
To teach mankind the right to tax 
Themselves, till nine years bolder wax. 
And commerce lies with Britain lost 
Till tyranny shall count its cost. 
Ye bitter days of Indian strife. 
The sacrifice of precious life, 
How rich were ye to bring a truth 
Of discipline and union, sooth 
Necessity to her compelled, 
And jealous cloudlets were dispelled : 
For public woe, like private grief. 
Can bring a value past belief; 
And darkness ends with dawn's relief, 
If light reveals the head as chief. 



XI 



Great scion of the Norman lord,' 
Whom Durham's acres could afTord 
A resting place at Wessyngton 
Soon after England's crown was won! 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. II 



Ancestral sire, a royal knight, 
Created by the monarch's might, 
To whose successor firm he stood, 
Left Durham for Virginia's wood, 
Potomac's stream and mountains grand,- 
With broad demesne in Westmoreland. 
Near tribute stream thine eyes saw light ; 
Maternal love trained thee aright ; 
Fraternal care Mount Vernon gave 
To thee a fund of wealth to save 
The land, whose people heard of him 
That led the troops 'mid forests grim. 
When Braddock fell, they heard of how 
He held his men with fearless brow. 
And brought them back, O peerless one. 
Serene and matchless Washington ! 

XII 

When British arms, sent to our shore,'" 

Awoke the people calm before. 

And quartered insolence defied 

The justice more intense, when tried 

By angry bullets in a quiet town, 

Prompt hands, disguised, the tea chests drown. 

Though Boston port be rudely closed, 

Of sterner stuff the mass composed 

Joined with the suffering city brave 



12 WASHINGTON. 



'Mid surges of tyrannic wave, 
Fasted, and of their substance gave 
For her relief and sure renown 
That firm withstood the kingly frown. 
Concord and Lexington became 
Our Marathon of freedom's fame. 
And from the blood of heroes shed 
A voice over the country sped 
To call the nation to the dread 
Arbitrament of warlike will, 
Reverberant on Bunker Hill. 

XIII 

Weep not, O Holland! that thy hand 

Foundation laid in distant land 

By mouth of Hudson's beauteous stream 

Of city like imperial dream, 

Surrendered to the English crown,*' 

As though man's freedom e'er went dovv^i. 

Thy sturdy blood secure remained. 

And, when its patient cup was drained, 

Rallied, resisting soldiers led 

To private house and board and bed ; 

Or stamps and teas denounced or broke, 

And with the land in union woke, 

Concerting measures, saving all. 

With Jay and Hamilton to call 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 1 3 



The people to the world's debate, 
Schuyler, Clinton, Livingstons great, 
Who built a nation with a state. 

XIV 

Britannia might o'er ocean reign 

And towns that lay upon the main ; 

But in the Highlands of our stream 

America secure would dream 

Of liberty that, like the hills. 

Mounts heavenward with raptured thrills 

Of beatific loftiness 

And everlasting happiness. 

A score of miles the regions run 

Where rise the mountains to the sun 

That climbs and sinks upon their mass, 

The Nose of Anthony, the crass 

Dutch trumpeter of Stuyvesant,'^ 

With Dunderberg that looks askant 

Toward Bear Hill, that looms behind, 

And range of mounts that Northward wind 

Till in Crow Nest and round Storm King 

A terminus they lowly bring 

At ancient Newburgh, prosperous grown. 

Opposing her the mountains loan 

Their Beacon shadows to the streets 

Of thrifty Fishkill and the seats 



14 WASHINGTON. 



At Matteawan of busy wheels 

Whose rock-spilt stream propulsive reels. 

A Breakneck cape the Hudson fronts 

By valley where pedestrian hunts 

The waters round of Lake Surprise; 

And Southward rolls the mountain-rise 

Of Taurus with its Table Rock 

That guards the village like a flock, 

The place that Cold Spring was to be ; 

And farther South projecting see! 

The massive cliffs peninsular, 

The lofty rocks of Martelar,"' 

With Redoubt Mountains rolling high, 

And Sugar Loaf to pierce the sky 

With everlasting sweetness, seen 

To undulate with cloudy sheen 

Till Manitou his hill disclose, 

Protected by Antonian Nose.'* 

XV 

Here, where the Appalachian range. 

With mounds and minerals rich and strange, 

Unites the South and Puritan, 

The thought of patriots cunning ran 

To fortify and hold for aye 

Against the coming warlike fray. 

Provincial Congress of New York 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. I 5 



An order gave to start the work, 
And ere a score of days had fled 
In August with her Dog Star red, 
Memorable year of Seventy-five, 
It was made known to all alive 
The Highlands should a fortress be 
For all the world and liberty. 

XVI 

Eleven suns their daily race had run 

When Romans had his work begun '^ 

Obedient to the people's will 

To fortify the island hill. 

In heart of Highland mountain wood, 

Where Hudson's waters bend their flood 

A point projects to stop the stream 

With rocks that towering upward seem 

To speeding boatmen 'neath their shade 

As if they with the cloudlets played, 

Or huge, precipitous, were like, 

Falling, all things to atoms strike. 

Eight score feet upward rise the trees 

Upon the river point, where breeze 

Perpetual rustles all the leaves 

That stand where loitering eye perceives 

The site of olden works of war 

That crowned the heights of Martelar. 



1 6 WASHINGTON. 



There Romans built a fort of stone, 
And Constitution named it, grown 
To full proportions, with redoubt 
And batteries, where cannon shout 
Their mad refrain, and round about 
The hills the echoes loudly flout. 

XVII 

We clamber up the rocky slopes 

And stand on site of ancient hopes 

Of freedom's struggle glory crowned 

With issue of the war renowned. 

The rough-piled walls are steadfast still 

On summit of our island hill, 

And four the sides that run the round 

Of safety on that vantage ground. 

Below the remnants yet are seen 

Of war's building, now smooth with green, 

A house 'mid forestry serene. 

And neighboring gleam of river sheen. 

The mirror of the eye's delight 

That glances o'er the gladsome sight. 

XVIII 



Northward the wandring look beholds 
Descending river that enfolds 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 1/ 



The island fortress in its sweep, 
Here shrunk most narrow and most deep. 
Mount Taurus thrusts his tongue far out 
In Stony Point, which round about 
The waters rush. On Breakneck and 
Its camel humps the end of land 
Seems come on Eastward rolling shore, 
And Storm King lifts its mass before 
Opposing hill. Between them rise 
The heights of Western bank that lies 
Above the soaring ridge supreme 
O'er tempests and the resting gleam 
Of bird-wings fluttered to their rest 
When solar chariot seeks the West. 
Eastward the trees conceal from view 
The marshy meadows, which accrue 
The name of island to the scene, 
Once girt in days that long have been 
By ocean-seeking river cleft, 
Which channel sought, and old bed left. 
Southward the stretch of waters ends 
In wooded slopes, where beauty blends 
The massiveness of earth below 
With cloud-kissed vault, cerulean glow. 
And as, returning Westward, trend 
The raptured eyes to journey's end, 
A Western Point, with higher plain 
And higher hills, adds its domain 



1 8 WASHINGTON. 



O'erlooking all, with martial strain 
In trump and cannon, war's refrain. 

XIX 

Here came on April morn the feet ^® 

Of Franklin, who chained lightning fleet, 

And printed words of wisdom meet 

To guide the mind, and with discreet 

Counsel a diplomat abroad 

Won Europe's favor to our sword. 

May's buds of beauty welcome bloomed 

To Stirling's Lord, whom fortune doomed 

To lose an earldom, but bestowed 

A better diadem that glowed 

With splendor from fair Freedom's crown 

And bloody battle's loud renown. 

His glance the Western Point discerned 

Superior, from which he learned 

Advantage for the future state. 

And hastened to communicate 

The tidings to great Washington, 

Who hither came, when Autumn sun 

Had kissed the leaves October red, 

And Summer's mildness turned and fled. 

The CHntons, Mifflin, Stirling, Heath 

His steps attended, and beneath 

The island fastness all surveyed. 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 1 9 



At early dawn on horse they paid 

A visit to the Northern gate ; 

Then turning, ere the morn grew late, 

He charged brave Heath the hills to keep, 

And crossing o'er the waters deep, 

Rode Jerseyward on Southern track. 

And reached the town of Hackensack. 

XX 

Those river shores now peaceful rest, 

And letters make the place as blest 

In later days as erst the fort 

For freedom's cause made it resort 

Of patriot heroes, planning shrewd 

To guard their land 'mid strife renewed. 

The legal Warner erudite " 

In these retreats found home's delight, 

And here his daughters sweetly wrote 

Of Wide, Wide World, of world-wide note, 

And Queechy by the many read, 

And Hills of Shatemuc that led 

Imagination to the scene. 

Where memory adds to verdure green 

The reverence which the many feel 

For those who wrote the Say and Seal, 

Now one fair hand is still in death. 

Whose voice in works perused hath breath ; 



20 WASHINGTON. 



And one yet blesses with her Hfe 
The hallowed spot of freedom's strife. 

XXI 

Nor Constitution Isle alone 
Did Romans fortify with stone, 
But to the hills his men were drawn 
To Eastern shore with sturdy brawn 
To plant the heights with nests of war 
And cast the bird's glance near and far. 
Redoubt Mountains to South and North 
Were ready made to issue forth 
The metal and the men of Mars 
Like deadly meteors, baleful stars. 
On Sugar Loaf another work 
Harbors the fort where warriors lurk. 
Now Osborn's castle crowns the height 
Hospitable to give the sight 
Exalted o'er a beauteous scene, 
While near the banks of river sheen 
Great Fish, with laurel wreath of praise 
For country served through length of days, 
Rests 'mid associations grand 
And honors of a grateful land. 
Sagacious Sloan on Redoubt slopes 
Fans Winter's toils with Summer's hopes, 
And Livingstons keep stately seats 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 21 



Where ancient worthiness repeats 
Its excellence, while still remain 
The scions of the ancient train, 
And still our town in memory keeps 
The worthy name of rich Philipse. 

XXII 

And lower still on Western bank. 
Where Bear Hill rears its gloomy flank, 
Confronting the Antonian Nose, 
Each side where creek to river flows, 
A fort opposing quickly rose. 
In lower county Clinton stood, '^ 
On upper side in lofty wood 
Montgomery its breastworks reared, 
And cannon o'er the ramparts peered. 
The Horse Race soldiers scanned to see 
Approaches of the enemy. 
And on the North side of the bay. 
Where even then old Peekskill lay, 
Fort Independence with its guns 
Rose watchful with the morning suns. 

XXIII 

These peaceful scenes sublime prepared 
From war a twelvemonth more were spared, 



22 WASHINGTON. 



While Northern regions heard the roar 
Of combat on Laurentian shore. 
Allen and Arnold at the lakes '" 
Forts and victory gain that makes 
A way to Canada, where falls 
Montgomery before the walls 
Of high Quebec, and Winter's gloom 
Congeals the hopes of Summer's bloom. 

XXIV 

Yet firm before brave Boston lay 

The army watchful for the day 

When breastworks on Dorchester thrown, 

And tempest from the ocean blown. 

Should hinder Howe from hot attack, 

And save the city from the sack 

Of war's mortality of shells. 

Of foreign rule time strikes the knells, 

And on the Martian morning sailed 

The hostile army unbewailed 

By patriot hearts that joyous hailed 

The victory of Virginia's son. 

The patient, dauntless, Washington." 

XXV 

The Southern clime, solstitial sun. 
Saw hostile sails approach Charleston, 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 23 



And hot assault from ships begun. 
But Moultrie fearless, pipe in hand, 
Stood ready with his brave command. 
And hulled the craft with shells. 
The fort was shrieking with the yells 
Of whizzing balls, and one had flung 
The standard down, and low it hung 
O'er ramparts traversed by red death. 
While others looked with bated breath, 
Fearless, brave Jasper, leaping out, 
The flag regained, and, turned about. 
Replaced it on the merlon high 
To float its colors to the sky, 
Till darkness veiled the dreadful hour, 
And with the tide ebbed Britain's power.''' 

XXVI 

Meanwhile in civic Congress met 
Colonial statesmen boldly set 
Their purpose to achievement grand 
Of independence for the land. 
Virginia's motion well received, 
And freedom's logic soon believed, 
Gave Jefferson his pen the right 
The Declaration to indite. 
With Adams, Franklin, Sherman near. 
And Livingston, a band the peer 



24 WASHINGTON. 



Of Europe's statesmen, or the flower 
Of ancient Rome and Grecian power. 
Great Julius gave his name subHme " 
To month of annual, solar, time; 
And fourth the day of Caesar's moon, 
And late the hour, well after noon. 
When Congress voted and declared 
The colonies as States prepared 
Their independence to maintain 
Of equal rights and gentle reign 
Of faith in truth and liberty. 
The people welcomed joyfully 
The triumph of their waiting cause, 
And all the world rang with applause 
At that celestial ray of light 
Which banished policy with right. 

XXVII 

The conflict hot Long Island next 
Renewed near rivcred city, vexed 
With heart divided. Sore perplexed 
With crowding forces of the foe. 
While friendly fogs their mantles throw, 
With Washington the troops withdraw 
In silence of the night, and saw 
Manhattan's welcoming morning rise. 
For them Hale falls a sacrifice ; 



CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 25 



And stout resistance Harlem made, 

And valorous deeds White Plains displayed. 

The Hudson at the Palisade 

Of rock the army crossed. 

November saw the fortress lost 

Of Washington on Eastern shore. 

December with its Wintry store 

Of snow and ice retreating bore 

The shivering host that Southward fare 

Across the freezing Delaware." 

xxvni 

The Hessian Christmas merriment 
Provoked the voyage and descent 
On Trenton's slumbering town 
And Princeton's field, where with renown 
Fell Mercer. Morristown received 
The patient soldiery, who relieved 
The country of the hostile bands, 
Till September saw in Southern strands 
The foe disbark for Brandywine, 
Victorious o'er the patriot line; 
And Germantown in vain renewed 
The struggle with disaster strewed. 
Till Winter drew the hosts apart. 
And Valley Forge concealed the heart 
That patient watched for coming morn 
Amid privations poor and lorn." 



CANTO SECOND 

THE THREE FORTS 
I 

CANADIAN shores sent forth their storm 
Upon the patriot state in form 
Of deadly war, and with Burgoyne 
As leader of the host, purloin 
The people's lands and common blood 
Like ancient stock o'er ocean's flood. 
Germania's thousands were enrolled 
By princelings to a kinglet sold, 
To bend free kinsmen to his will, 
And with their lives the coffers fill 
Of Europe's poor but haughty lords. 
Nor scorned the foe to add to swords 
The Indian tomahawk and cry 
Of death wrought by the allies sly. 
Six Nations gave power to the host,* 
Descending with a haughty boast 
Of victory to pierce the heart 
26 



THE THREE FORTS. 2/ 



Of freedom's citadel, and part 

New England from states West and South, 

And sail the Hudson to its mouth. 



II 



Below the waters of Champlain 
The foe advanced, alert to rain 
Destruction at the Georgian Lake, 
Whose wooded hills successive make. 
With clearest waters stretched between, 
The traveller's ideal scene. 
Ticonderoga fell again "^ \ 
But, fleeing, St. Clair saved his men, 
And through the wilderness withdrew 
To Fort Edward, where Schuyler knew 
The story of disaster grave. 
Here, where the Hudson's waters lave 
The thirsty shores, and, broadening, rush 
O'er rocky beds with murmuring gush. 
And Southward fix their steady course, 
The ancients raise with warlike force 
Securely built a fortress named 
Fort Edward, fort in annals famed. 
Delayed by broken roads, the foe 
Their lazy length urge on, when lo ! 
The fort forsaken falls a prey, 
And Schuyler's troops are miles away. 



28 WASHINGTON. 



Ill 



Pathetic tales now roused all hearts ^ 

That dwelt amid those Northern parts ; 

For, ere the enemy had gained 

The fort, one urged by love that reigned 

Within her breast toward soldier brave 

In Britain's nearing warrior wave, 

To whom affiance linked her all. 

Protected, as she thought, from fall 

Of danger or of death by guard 

Of Indians twain and reward 

For guidance safe to them assured, 

Fell 'neath their blow in quarrel lured 

By greed of gain that scorned her life 

As prey to their accursed strife. 

This cruel deed Burgoyne condoned, 

While shuddering freemen, hearing, groaned, 

And sprang to arms against the beasts 

Of nature, loosened for such feasts 

Inhuman on the confiding fair, 

And wasted soldier ranks repair. 

Herkimer falls; but, Northward sped* 

By stout resistance and the tread 

Of Arnold's coming, wise St. Leger 

Left the Fort he would beleaguer 

In Mohawk's verdant valley placed ; 

Toward Canada his steps retraced. 



THE THREE EORTS. 2g 



Nor Baum nor Breyman Eastward sent * 

To Bennington could circumvent 

The honest hearts of free Vermont, 

With Stark and Warner at the front 

To keep the hungry foe from stores 

Of needed food. The forest pours 

Around the fated host a shower 

Of warriors drawn as clouds that lower 

By furious wind of rage provoked 

By arrant cruelty uncloaked. 

From Washington detachments came 

To strengthen Schuyler in the name 

Of freedom — victim to the blame 

Of spiritless delay and fame 

Of sloth and fear, unwarlike, tame. 

Horatio Gates, in England born," 

Aid to Monkton, by bullet torn 

When at Monongahela 

He fought, next in Virginia 

A planter, chosen brigadier 

By Congress, when the strife was near, 

Was voted to command the host, 

And check the march of Burgoyne's boast. 



IV 



Nor idle were the enemy 
Amassed in cities by the sea. 



30 WASHINGTON. 



For, while Burgoyne marched from above, 

The Howes the Southern sea-board rove' 

To land on shore of Chesapeake, 

And, hurtling upward, shrewdly seek 

To crush the force with Washington. 

Manhattan's isle harbored Clinton 

And his men, whom strategy 

Would carry up the stream to see 

The wondrous Highland fastnesses, 

Accumulated vastnesses, 

Fortified, with Putnam as chief, 

Withstanding the coming relief, 

As Autumn's colors touched the scene. 

Far different it might have been, 

Had Clinton earlier moved his force, 

And stormed the Highlands in his course. 

Gained Albany in time to join 

The famished soldiers of Burgoyne, 

And checkmate Schuyler in his game, 

Or Gates, who won the laurel's fame. 

Fell sloth and discord, jealous strife. 

How ye have checkered mortal life! 

Yet overruled may evil be 

To help the right so wondrously, 

That hushed are watching human hearts. 

And dried the tear that welling starts. 

For life is born, when dying parts. 



THE THREE FORTS. 3 1 



V. 



Leaving New York, as Autumn came,' 

Sir Henry Clinton, searching fame, 

Weighed anchor on his men of war, 

The Preston, Mercury, Tartar, 

And galleys armed and transports filled 

With four thousand British troops skilled 

In fight, and for the conflict drilled. 

Soon Fort Lee's lofty guns they passed. 

And on the right in foliage massed 

The conquered Fort of Washington. 

The towering Palisades of stone 

Long Westward on their voyage frowned, 

By Nature's wondrous beauty crowned 

In Tappan's Zee, with Eastern shore 

For Sleepy Hollow famed before 

Their day. By Senasyna seemed 

The river ended, as the Point, now deemed 

South Teller's better named, was called. 

Nor yet from progress were they walled. 

But outlet led them to the bay 

Of Haverstraw, in former day 

Kumackenack the Red Men say. 

On Western shore, and skyward thrown. 

High Torn's lone height, to travellers known, 

O'erlooked the league of waters gray 

And far to Grassy Point away, 



32 WASHINGTON. 



With Montrose Point on Eastern side, 
And, farther North, the river wide 
Verplank and Stony Points divide. 



VI 



Nov/ Dunderberg, for thunder named. 
And storms of summer uproar famed, 
Stood massive, high, with threat subhme 
Of tempest in fair freedom's cHme. 
They say, A gobHn with a hat 
Like sugar loaf on Dunder sat, 
With crew of imps Hke evil self. 
Whose somersaults threw storms as pelf 
Of clouds and lightnings, rain and wind. 
On hapless skippers whom they find 
Afloat. The goblin hat 't was said. 
On mast-head fallen, a sloop has led 
On cloudy whirl from Newburgh bay 
To Dunderberg ten miles away ; 
And Goblin's self on bowsprit seat 
Of other sloop that, sailing fleet. 
He headed for the shore, was flung 
Away by sacred hymn, but hung 
On steeple of Esopus' church 
Of the divine, who from his perch 
Had him expelled, the nightly cap 
That graced the dominie's wifely nap. 



THE THREE FORTS. 33 



The next Sunday the people saw 

The strange adornment filled with awe. 

Where to the river sinks the mount 

The name for Kidd we may recount ° 

Has been assigned, and in the stream 

Men hunt the waters in a dream 

Of untold wealth in vessel lost 

By pirate who these billows crossed. 

VII 

Northward of Dunderberg arose " 

The sombre shade which Bear Hill throws 

Across the scene, with Doodletown 

Between, above the stream's fair crown 

Of islands for lona named 

And Scotland's monk Columba famed. 

West Hill, Black Mount are found at hand, 

And Northward farther up the land 

Long and Summer Mountains stand. 

Above the Ursine hill descends 

To river fleet the stream which blends 

Townships and counties at its mouth, 

Poplopen's Kill, and to the South 

An oval mirror lies, we think. 

In mountain wood, Lake Sinnipink. 

The gore of strife that stained its face 

The Indian word served to erase, 

3 



34 WASHINGTON. 



And Bloody Pond preserved the trace 
Of white men's rage, till moderns grace 
The scene with peaceful thought and name, 
And Highland Lake the Pond became. 

VIII 

The Spring of Seventy-six beheld 
The work of Romans end, trees felled, 
The stone and earthern ramparts raised 
On either side of creek, and praised 
With names of valiant men and great, 
Montgomery, who loved the state 
Better than life, and Clinton, known ^' 
In politics and famous grown 
In war. 'T was Machin who the forts'^ 
Completed, freedom's twain resorts, 
Montgomery for eight hundred, 
And Clinton for those that numbered 
Half as many. Across the stream 
The next year's Autumn color dream 
Waved round the finished boom and chain 
That stretched its strong and costly rein 
From Northern fort to Eastern shore, 
Where Anthony's nose was cut of yore. 
Another chain above was placed. 
Where Pollopel's isle the river graced,'^ 
And in the Spring, the year before. 



THE THREE FORTS. 35 



Fort Washington to Jersey shore 
Was linked by bands of idle strength, 
For Britain gained the forts at length. 
Two frigates, two galleys, a sloop, 
All armed, a little navy, group 
Themselves above Poplopen's boom, 
Unconscious of their awful doom. 
With fifteen hundred Putnam lay 
At Peekskill town across the bay. 
And in the forts the Clintons stood 
With six hundred men from the wood 
And farms of Duchess, Ulster, good 
To marshal patriot soldier blood. 



IX 



We sing of Putnam, him whose name 

Our county bears, who hither came 

To watch and strive for liberty. 

The honor of his nativity '* 

By Eastern Salem town is claimed 

Ere the last century had named 

A score of years. Israel, famed 

In sacred story, was he called, 

A fearless wrestler, one who walled 

The murderous she-wolf in her cave, 

And, entering, torch-lit, death-shot gave, 

While anxious friends without await 



36 WASHINGTON. 



The hero to congratulate. 

In Gallic war a major made, 

Fort Edward's powder house he saved, 

When fire endangered all the post ; 

And when before the Indian host 

He steered his craft o'er Hudson's falls, 

Saving his men from savage balls, 

The Great Spirit's beloved he seemed. 

Nor then of slothful ease he dreamed 

As Lexington awoke the land, 

But plough and oxen left to stand, 

While, mounting horse, he rode away 

To Boston in a single day, 

A journey three-score miles and ten. 

The British lures he scorned, and men 

He led to Bunker Hill, and fought 

Till victory seemed too dearly bought 

By foes who gained the heights they sought. 

A general made, these hills his care, 

With weakened force he stood, aware 

The enemy were speeding fast 

Along the stream, and anchor cast 

At Tarrytown, thousands to land, 

Revealing their deceitful hand, 

As though Peekskill and Fishkill North 

Were prey for which they issue forth. 

At Verplanck's Point, on Sabbath morn, 

October fifth, the foe are borne 



THE THREE FORTS, 37 



Nearer ashore, three thousand strong, 

While prudent Putnam, thinking wrong, 

To Continental Village drew 

His men ; and tidings Westward flew 

Across the river to the forts, 

While Clinton brave the hope supports 

That Putnam on the Eastern shore 

Will hear and send relief before 

The dread event of war shall come, 

And blood shall drench the Highland home. 



X 



Faithful to Charles, the Clinton fled ^^ 

To Ireland green, whose grandson sped 

Over Atlantic's restless waves 

In chartered ship, and Cape Cod saves 

His friends from mutiny and death. 

In Ulster County Discord's breath 

His sons, both James and George, aroused " 

In war engaged, by safety housed, 

'Gainst Frontenac in Canada. 

Their father dead, these twain the war 

For freedom animates to deed 

Of statesmanship and valor's breed 

Of suffering and steadfastness. 

James with Montgomery distress 

Of Northern Wintry loss had borne, 



38 WASHING 7VN. 



And George in Congress, from state torn 

With popular and royal feud, 

Breathing the common fortitude, 

For independence cast his vote. 

Generals both, and men of note, 

The twain command the Highland gate, 

James at Southern Fort Clinton sate. 

And George, the governor of the state, 

At Northern Fort Montgomery, 

Awaiting vengeance summary. 

Six hundred men of patriot brawn, 

From Ulster and Duchess drawn, 

Around their captains ready lay 

To check the adversary's way. 

A regiment with Allison 

From Goshen, and from Cornwall one 

Under Du Bois; from New Windsor 

McClaughry led on another, 

With Master over Newburgh's braves. 

And o'er the Continentals waves 

Du Bois' sabre, while threatening near 

The artillery of Lamb appear 

Among other battalions three 

By chieftains led for liberty — 

Six hundred 'gainst two thousand matched. 

Who bloodily the victory snatched. 

The chain and boom the river block. 

And vessels ready wait the shock 



THE THREE FORTS. 39 



Of war afloat, while landward rise 
The mountains, where Nature defies 
The foemen in their enterprise. 



XI 



Sir Henry Clinton, the grandson " 
Of old Lincoln's Earl, with Tryon 
And Vaughan, generals, and force, 
Two thousand strong, o'er river's course 
To Western Stony Point was borne 
At daybreak on October's morn 
The sixth, while foggy clouds conceal 
The ruddy coats and gleaming steel. 
By nine o'clock brave Logan bears ^* 
The message to the forts, while fares 
The army over Thunder's Hill 
In single file, while frigates fill 
The waters at its frowning base. 
Ready to sail up the Horse Race.'" 
At Doodletown on Northern face 
Of Dunderberg the scouts are met 
By Jackson led, and, later yet, 
Bruyn and McClaughry, driven back 
Before the foe. On Westward track 
Campbell's nine hundred round Bear Hill 
Advance, while Clinton's men are still 
Waiting at Doodletown the hour ^^ 



40 WASHINGTON: 



To march on Bruyn and meet the power 
Sent from the forts to be o'ercome. 
The sun Is waning toward his home, 
When up the pass the British swarm 
'Mid fire deadly, close and warm 
From abatis that casts its flank 
'Twixt Sinnipink and river bank. 
Bruyn and McClaughry back are thrown 
In slaughter, Fenno prisoner made, 
And Sinnipink its depth displayed, 
A watery grave for patriot dead. 
Tossed there to stain the surface red. 
Clinton's o'ercoming force consists 
Of chasseurs. New York loyalists, 
And regiments, fifty second 
And fifty seventh, vet'rans reckoned. 

XII 

'T was four o'clock, when round Bear Hill 

Campbell's column toiled to filP' 

The space before the upper fort, 

And send a flag with message short 

Of summons to surrender all. 

Ere five minutes pass, else will fall 

War's hailstones with destruction's rain. 

But with prompt answer of disdain 

Rode Livingston the flag to meet, " 



THE THREE FORTS. 4 1 



And spake a word the foe to greet, 

If ye surrender up your cause, 
Good treatment by our code of laws 
Shall be your fate," and then withdraws. 
Then on them opes the triple fire, 
For Hotham led his frigates nigher,"* 
The Preston, Mercury, Tartar, 
Hurling combustion in the war 
Of shipping on the peaceful stream. 
With fury swords and bayonets gleam 
Around the forts, assailed with shout, 
Portentous of a bloody rout. 
Grabowski, Poland's Count, will lead" 
With Rawdon, England's Lord, and speed 
The Grenadiers 'gainst Northern fort, 
While on the South the vet'rans court 
Mortality from Clinton's guns. 
Volley on volley dreadful runs 
O'er ramparts on the charging host 
To tame the raging of their boast. 
And thin their ranks by havoc torn. 
Montgomery's bulwarks, now forlorn. 
Were heaped with slain, and with them lay 
Grabowski, fallen in the fray, 
With dying gift to Rawdon's Lord," 
A soldier's death, a soldier's sword. 



42 WA SHING TON. 



XIII 
O where was Israel Putnam, 
Whose soldiers might have served to dam 
The torrent of the surging steel 
Against those shores, and to reveal 
Victorious hardihood supreme? 
Early the tidings of the gleam 
Of hostile bayonets flew to him; 
But at mid-day the forests grim 
On Eastern bank no voice returned 
Of help assured to those concerned 
In waiting for the bloody fray. 
At Continental village lay " 
Israel's men, until the news 
Of Western conflict come imbues 
Their hearts with ardor to assist. 
O'er hills a winding way they twist 
Through shading woods, till on the shore 
They stand, as twilight falls before 
Their eyes to veil the dreadful scene 
Across the stream, which rolls between 
The combat and their willing feet. 
They may not pass, nor render meet 
Assistance to comrades o'erthrown. 
Five hundred gaze on waters strown 
With havoc of the war, and hills, 
Where smoky cloud the heaven fills. 
And patriot heart with sorrow thrills. 



THE THREE FORTS. 43 



XIV 

Like lions tawny, staunch, at bay 
The Clintons stood, nor would give way. 
Their banners waved, the cannon crashed, 
The volleys yelled, the sabres flashed ; 
And red coats fell, yet swarmed around 
Like bees innumerable, found 
Entrance o'er the blood-strewn mound, 
And over ramparts, shouting, bound. 
Like waves that fall upon the shore, 
Are backward hurled, advance once more, 
And, spurned again, return, to charge 
The sands they undermine with large, 
Uproarious, spray of spreading power, 
So dashed the crest in evening hour 
Of Britain's warriors 'gainst the strands 
Of patriot, hero, rural bands. 
Two mortal hours they firm withstand 
In sturdy conflict for the land 
The flower of England's fortitude, 
Till o'er the scene, destruction-strewed, 
Twilight descends with dusk bedewed. 
But, as o'er Clinton's ramparts rushed 
The maddened host with victory flushed, 
Pitcher his loaded gun forsakes. 
Port-fire drops, to his heels betakes; 
But Molly his wife, brave and true," 



44 WASHINGTON. 



The use of the port-fire aptly knew, 

And, stooping, picked it from the ground ; 

The breech she touched, and loud the sound 

Of this last gun against the foe. 

While Molly scampers off to go 

With Pitcher on the ebbing tide 

Or in the darkling mountain-side. 

XV 

Noble six hundred ! Half are dead," 
Or prisoners made ! The rest have fled ! 
The chieftains with their men remained. 
And Allison captive is detained,^" 
Livingston, McClaughry, DuBois, 
Logan, Hamilton, Bruyn, whose voice 
Of praise for valor passes not, 
Nor shall their comrades be forgot. 
Many of deadly wounds expired. 
Or cruelty their lives required 
In prison of the Sugar House*" 
In New York placed, a bitter souse 
Of sweetness from a right divine, 
A bon-bon from a king benign ! 
Nor them who bravely fell in fight 
They buried, as was Nature's right, 
But left to rot, or careless toss 
In Sinnipink, a horrid floss 



THE THREE FORTS, 45 



Of war upon the weary earth, 
Torn with passions of lowest birth. 
So men possessed by evil force, 
Their own worst foes, career their course 
Of suffering, while from it flows 
Experience ; and he who knows 
To scan aright may bless the stars 
That shine in heaven after wars. 

XVI 

In sorrow at the horrid scene 

And loss, where victory might have been, 

Nature, for freedom mourning deep. 

Invents a veil o'er stars that weep. 

A darkness fell upon the ground. 

As Clinton with his braves was found, 

Contesting still, striving his way 

To cut amid the foes' array. 

Upon the river's neighboring shore 

A small boat loitered near the roar 

Of dying conflict. James would save " 

His brother George across the wave. 

** Brother, behold! the boat is here. 

Escape to the other side from fear, 

To Putnam and his sturdy braves ! 

Thy safety all the country craves. 

For New York's governor thou art, 



46 WASHINGTON. 



And thou must fire the people's heart 

ForUberty! Nor think of me: 

I will elude the enemy." 

But George in love fraternal cried, 

** O James, depart not from my side! 

I will not leave thee in this plight, 

Nor shall I go, unless my flight 

By thee be joined, and with this night, 

As through the day, our fates unite." 

Like Jonathan and David's bond, 

Achilles of Patroclus fond. 

Like Damon loved of Pythias, 

Or Scipio and Laelius, 

These brothers born, and friends as well. 

Contending, cast this hallowed spell 

Of purest love around the dell. 

It might not be; and James perforce 

His brother sent upon his course 

By pushing off the boat from land. 

While, springing on a steed at hand. 

He galloped through the gathering gloom. 

A bridge he meets in ruddy bloom 

Of British soldiers, whom he bade 

Make way for him, and spurs he played 

Through bayonets bright to penetrate, 

But not without the thrust of hate. 

For stabbing steel must pierce his thigh. 

He leaves his horse, to forest nigh 



THE THREE FORTS. 47 



Rushes with bridle in his grasp, 
Slides down a ledge of rocks that rasp, 
A precipice in the ravine, 
Poplopen's Creek, that lies between 
The famous forts. Into the stream 
He slipping falls. The waters seem 
To staunch the oozing blood that night, 
As on the summit he rests till Hght 
Dawns on his pains and brings a horse 
For him bareback to ride, and force 
His anguished way through sixteen miles. 
Fevered, husky, with scarlet smiles 
Of war upon his garb, he greets 
The first house that his journey meets, 
Generous and great in fortitude 
And monumental hardihood. 

xvn 

Unpropitious upon the deep 

Blew Boreas a breeze to keep 

The patriot navy round the boom 

With sails all spread, nor from the gloom 

Of awful overthrow secure. 

For, when our countrymen were sure 

The fight was lost, they fired the group 

Of frigates, galleys, and the sloop. 

Hodge the Montgomery kindled 



48 WASHINGTON. 



To flames, and, when the hope dwindled 

That the Congress would make her way, 

And grounded on the flat she lay 

By Constitution Isle, the light 

To her was put ; and now the sight 

Most wonderful gave day for night. 

In scorching pyramids of flame 

The vessels floated, and there came 

A ruddy glow that overspread 

The stream around, while overhead 

The hills, where fugitives had fled, 

Illumined, beckoned to escape. 

Cannon loaded with ball or grape 

Upon the decks were booming loud, 

And powder rolled its warlike shroud 

Across the waters, and the crowd 

Of mountains, like a howling pack, 

A thousand echoes thundered back. 

Then, when destruction ceased her shout, 

And ruddy flames had all died out, 

A silent gloom appalled the scene, 

And peace was known where strife had been. 

XVIII 

The morning dawned, and Mott forsook" 
Fort Constitution. Tryon took 
The isle, and all the works destroyed 



THE THREE FORTS. 49 



The second day, the land annoyed, 

And Continental village burned ^* 

With barracks, which we whilom learned 

Stood in the orchard 'twixt Cat Hill 

And Huckleberry, near the rill 

To left of Sprout Brook, and ruins fill 

The towering sides about the pass 

Of breastworks, grown with trees and grass. 

Rumor abroad the tidings spread 

Of victory for the English red. 

And terror fell with sorrow bred. 

Upon the river point called Gee's 

Aunt Sally dwelt with all the teas 

Remaining hers, but half a pound; 

And when the rumors foul confound 

The patriot-hearts with forts that fell, 

Aunt Sally knows alas ! too well 

For further tea this sounds the knell. 

Determined none shall reach their hand 

Who come to ravage all the land, 

The whole half pound — and 't is her all — 

Must in the tea pot quickly fall ; 

And, in her terror almost daft, 

She made her tea a bitter draught. 

But all who heard were very merry 

Over the news from Nelson's Ferry,^"* 

And, laughing for Aunt Sally Gee, 

Wondered how she enjoyed her tea. 



50 WASHINGTON. 



XIX 

Sir Henry up the river sped. 

Shells over Fishkill Landing fled 

From British cannon as they passed. 

Mansions were burned, and lands harassed. 

Kingston they reached and ashes made, 

But here their hopes were dashed and laid, 

For word descended from Burgoyne's host 

That low was crushed their haughty boast ; 

Stillwater, Saratoga slew 

Their hopes, and sad surrender drew 

The conflict to its destined end. 

At Schuylerville Burgoyne must tend 

His sword to Gates by Hudson's stream," 

And with the passing of his dream — 

Perhaps before him there may seem 

To rise a spectre young and fair, 

With severed scalp and bleeding hair, 

And in events one seems to say, 

** The Lord avenged me, Jane McCrea." 

XX 

Down sails Sir Henry from the North, 
And vain the task he sallied forth 
To leave a monument of fame, 
And glory turns to fading shame. 



THE THREE FORTS, 5 1 



The Governor and Putnam attend " 

His wanderings till they quickly end 

In city by the roaring sea. 

Another tale in history ^* 

We might have read but for delay 

On ocean's wave upon their way 

Across the main in Holland ships 

Of troops that Clinton in his trips 

Led forth to war. A hundred days 

The tardy breeze the army stays ; 

And when October bids them roam, 

Too late to help Burgoyne they come. 

The great events of life are seen 

To be arranged behind the scene. 

Though forts may fall, and booms may snap, 

And shrewdest generals take a nap. 

They cannot bring the favoring breeze, 

Nor circumvent divine decrees. 




CANTO THIRD 

STONY POINT 
I 



FOUR seasons in the circle blend 
Of yearly beauty; speeding, send 
Their charm of casing round the soul 
Of things united in the whole 
Of universal thought secure. 
Winter, with her snow-mantle pure, 
Conceals a waiting life from death. 
Ready to rise at vernal breath, 
Vigorous, diverse, and beautiful. 
She slays and hides, but dutiful 
In universal thought conserves 
A life renewed, and hope preserves. 
So Winter joins the old and new, 
A larger where a smaller grew. 
Three forts a passing victory brought. 
Eventual in disaster fraught. 
52 



STONY POINT. 



53 



The Autumn of success must close, 
And Winter to her gloom dispose. 
Seventy-five like Spring had seemed, 
And seventy-six a Summer gleamed, 
And seventy-seven Autumn deemed 
In fruitage of a rich success. 
Seventy-eight the three confess 
Winter sister with snowy tress. 



II 



October's foliaged robe was thrown 
Around the waning year now grown 
Great with success, when Donop led ' 
His Hessian braves with hardy tread 
Against Fort Mercer at Red Bank. 
With slaughter mown the soldiers sank 
To earth, Count Donop yielded life. 
And vessels twain that joined the strife 
Upon the Delaware lay fast 
Upon the ground, victims at last 
To red-hot shot the patriots cast 
To burn and blow them up in vast 
Destruction, sorry and aghast. 
Fort Mififlin opposite remained 
Until November, when were trained 
Five hostile batteries at hand 
Upon its works upon Mud Island. 



54 WASHINGTON. 



Five men of war their cannon played 
On fort and wave, and six days brayed 
Their warHke yells, while undismayed 
The patriots stood, nor flight essayed, 
Until the siege at end they knew, 
When Thayer and Fleury safe withdrew 
To other shore, and famous grew. 



Ill 



December brought the soldiers forth 
To Washington from the army north; 
And strong encamped they steadfast lay, 
Wliile Howe his warriors' proud array 
Against them marched, but prudent grew, 
And to the city back withdrew, 
To spend the Winter in pleasure, 
Games, plays, and balls without measure. 
From Philadelphia twenty miles. 
Where the East Valley Creek beguiles 
The traveller's eye, and joins its stream 
To Schuylkill's flood, and forests seem 
To fill a vale betwixt the hills. 
Where early stood of rolling mills 
One of our first, the Valley Forge — ' 
Burnt by the soldiers of King George — 
The patriot army fell the trees 
And make them huts. A fort one sees, 



STONY POINT. 55 



And works around are quickly thrown, 
A village and a fortress grown. 
There cold and hunger they endure 
And scarcity of pay, but sure 
Of suffering and death ; and plots 
Are woven 'gainst the chief, and spots 
Are sought in his integrity, 
Rebuked by his sincerity. 



IV 



Nor idle sat the Congress met 

The general affairs to set 

In order meet, perpetual; 

But articles eventual ^ 

Of their prolonged and wise debate 

Declared the states confederate, 

Republican in government, 

Extensive with the continent. 

Union perpetual shall be 

Between the states, and all their free 

Inhabitants alike in rights. 

Congress for them their conflict fights 

With meagre power to it bestowed ; 

And from the stinted gift there flowed 

In events manifest weakness. 

The legislatures acquiesce. 

The delegates the act approve, 



56 WASHINGTON. 



Acknowledging the Hand of love 
That ruleth all, and hearts inclines, 
And nations to their place assigns. 



Abroad the heart of France was fired * 

To give the hand of help desired 

Of money, ships, and men allied 

For independence to our side, 

Stirred up by recollected woes 

Of Canada, and loss that grows 

Bitter with lapse of proving time. 

And strikes a blow at hoary crime, 

D'Estaing, De Grasse, and Rochambeau, 

With Gallia's power, sailing go 

Across Atlantic's deep, and set 

Their flags and names with La Fayette, 

To win their deathless coronet 

Of happy praise ; and here they met 

Those warming beams from Freedom's sun 

That, home across the water run 

With their returning host, should see 

The tottering of tyranny, 

With rapid rise of liberty, 

Fraternity, equality. 

Upon our shore they recent placed ' 

A lofty imaged goddess, graced 



STONY POINT. 57 



With diadem of lights, and faced 
The coming of the ships that paced 
The waters of the main with rays 
Of heaven seeking, for it pays 
A glowing tribute to the past 
Of fruitages that ever last. 



VI 



One hundred and eleven years " 

This day Clinton marched 'mid the tears 

Of Philadelphia's loyal hearts 

Northward. A month ere Howe departs 

With gallant pageantry afloat 

And on the shore the army note 

His going and their fond esteem. 

'T was not a fortnight since the dream ' 

Of French alliance realized 

Had roused the patriot camp apprised 

Or freedom's fortune in huzza 

And salvos for their friends in war. 

No entrance weak had once been forced 

Within their lines, as winter coursed 

Its dreary, bitter, hungry flight. 

Nor, when the foe his hastening plight 

Revealed, rested they in their peace. 

But speeding harried him, nor cease 

They for the rays of solstice sun. 



58 WASHINGTON. 



Overtures from the king begun 

They promptly scorned, and Monmouth hears 

The negative for lasting years 

Sealed with fresh blood and cries and tears 

And love of country, braving fears. 

VII 

A snake with rattles twelve miles long. 

The British army, thousands strong. 

Reached Allentown ; by noise in front 

Of opposition scared, the brunt 

Of battle they avoid, and, borne 

Toward Monmouth, on a Sabbath morn ^ 

Await the onset of the foe. 

Retreat brings on the patriots woe, 

Till Washington disorder checks, 

And Wayne's brigade brave Monckton wrecks 

In deadly loss. The night descends. 

And sleep brings peace, but Clinton wends 

His way to Sandy Hook, and ends 

His journey, by the city housed, 

Slow 'gainst his foe to be aroused. 

But ere he finished Sunday's fight, 

He touched a link that joins us quite ^ 

In Highland hills with Jersey coast. 

For Pitcher of the warlike host 

That manned Fort Clinton on that day 



STONY POINT. 59 



Of memorable affray, 

Of which we Ve sung, fell by his gun, 

As Molly brought water on the run 

From neighboring spring to quench his thirst. 

Then she takes his place with the first 

In danger and the conflict hot, 

And Greene to Washington fails not 

To bring and praise her bravery, 

And she gets half-pay from slavery 

Of poverty her days to free. 

VIII 

The patriot host that watched and fought 

Held men who, absent from home, sought 

Help for those defenceless left behind: 

And in Wyoming's vale they find '° 

Destruction swift upon them crept 

By Indian stealth and fury swept 

On in scorching wave by Tories led. 

July's hot day brings broad bloodshed 

On the settlers, a treaty spurned 

And massacre, their houses burned 

And crops to desolation turned. 

Here pious Zinzendorf had taught " 

The peaceful gospel, and besought 

The Redman to the yoke of love ; 

And here, where fruits and slaughter throve, 



6o WA SHING TON. 



Poetic Campbell's Spenser verse '^ 

May tragic scenes of old rehearse 

In Delaware's large plains ^ of flame. 

Then spread Bellona's torch along, 

And coastwise leaped destruction strong 

In death and plunder, for D'Estaing 

With Gallic fleet, where Newport rang 

With wave crashed crags, repulsed by storm, 

Left Gray's command abroad to form 

And spread mortality and loss 

In Massachusetts, and the toss 

Of war Savannah overthrows '' 

To Britain's power, as December shows 

The turning of the year, and time grows 

White, yet blushes with crimson snows. 



IX 



Now sheltered lie the patriot bands. 
While winter howls, and hostile hands 
Are waiting for their enslavement. 
Three brigades to Danbury sent 
Rest in their chosen cantonment, 
While Continental village holds 
Two more, and one the camp enfolds 
Near by at famed West Point. Below, 
Near Haverstraw, where grow 

[* In Delaware dialect Wyoming means large plains.] 



STONY POINT. 6 1 



Most wide the Hudson's waves, was found 

Another, whilst the ruddy ground 

Of Jersey at EHzabeth 

Doth one more keep, and seven houseth 

At Middlebrook by Raritan. 

There huts of logs and mud a man 

Might see in streets laid out that ran 

By rule like camp of canvas tents. 

The historic record represents 

At Pluckemin near by a fete 

In February, where the great " 

The French alliance celebrate 

With feast and ball and works of fire ; 

And on the mountain ridges higher, 

Four hundred feet above the plains. 

The rock of Washington remains, 

Where erst his eye the scene surveyed. 

And watched for plans of war displayed. 



X 



To-day our thirteen states have grown 
To forty-five, and more will own " 
In time our banner and our name ; 
And even in the days of fame. 
Whereof we sing, forth flowed the tide 
Of population o'er the side 
Of mountains and of rivers long 



62 WASHINGTON. 



To smite the foreign power strong, 

And claim the country for the free. 

Brave Clarke, with trusty force, we see 

To waters of the Illinois 

And Wabash march, and know the joys 

Of conquest grown imperial, 

Ere in the yearly serial 

July had ripened well her crops. 

Nor him the royal governor stops 

With chosen warriors come to gain 

The ground once lost, with lasting stain 

Of Indian savages in arms. 

Around Vincennes' fort Clarke swarms '^ 

With few but fearless men of war, 

While Hamilton had sent afar 

His savage friends; and, as the moon 

Of February, aging soon. 

Is waning to its end, the fort 

Is ours, and swiftly flies report 

Of conquest and of safety gained 

To emigrants that home remained 

Till thus assurance of life deigned 

To freedom led them swarming forth. 

Kentucky grows, and all the north 

Above Ohio's banks shall swell 

The empire of the free, and quell 

The savage and the British yell. 

Deep gratitude to France shall fill 



STONY POINT. 6l 



The breast, whose king to Louisville " 

Shall lend the name we call it still. 

O great northwest, forever free, 

A harbinger of liberty 

To our domain of empire states. 

In thee the past perpetuates. 

On thee the heart of centuries waits! 



XI 



Now restless shakes the mother snake 
Her rattles in New York to make 
Excursions of her winning fangs 
Along the coast, and speechless hangs 
The country on such wooing strange 
To bring the erring home, derange 
Their plans, and lift a crown again. 
In Chesapeake Bellona's men '" 
Are slipped to ravage crops and homes. 
And when returned the army comes 
To Sandy Hook, northward it sails 
To seize the points of war, where fails 
Not time their names to keep to-day, 
Verplanck's and Stony called, away 
But thirteen miles from us who stay " 
Around the heart of freedom's rest. 
At Stony Point our force their nest 
Of war abandon, but across 



64 WASHINGTON. 



The stream Verplanck's inglorious loss 
Our 'scutcheon soils, and King's Ferry 
Between the two is a merry- 
Gain to Clinton ; and sundered falls 
The lower line below the walls 
Of Hudson highlands for supplies — 
To Washington a rude surprise. 

XII 

On bold Connecticut descends'^" 
Fierce Tryon, and his journey ends 
New Havenward, to burn and slay, 
Till driven to his ships to weigh 
Anchor, and on loved Fairfield land 
His Hessian thieves, while homes stand 
In flames to fall, and children weep. 
To Norwalk next they deftly creep 
To ply the torch, and all but go 
New Londonward, when halt we know 
Was called by Wayne upon the bank 
Of Hudson's stream, and Tryon shrank 
From eastern war, and quick withdrew 
To help the serpent, struck anew 
With sorer wound and nearer home. 
Upon the head, the poison dome. 



STONY POINT. 65 



XIII 

Anthony Wayne's praise we sing," 

Whose grandsire brave, Hke name bearing. 

Left old Yorkshire for Ireland near, 

And fought for William in the year 

Of ninety-two beside the Boyne; 

And later years his fortunes join 

To Pennsylvania on this continent. 

Isaac, his son, 'gainst Indians sent, 

Perpetuated martial thrift 

In Anthony, a new year gift 

In forty-five to freedom's cause. 

A regiment he quickly draws 

To arms, at independence morn, 

And colonel made, and northward borne. 

In Canada and on Champlain 

He bears and guides with skill the strain 

Of war, till, general grown, he leads 

With Washington o'er Jersey's meads, 

And Brandywine and Germantown 

Increase with praise his great renown. 

Nor, when the winter famine raged 

At Valley Forge 'mid army caged 

In safe retreat, failed his brave heart. 

Within the hostile lines to start 

He dares, and gains needed supplies, 

And expectation gratifies. 



66 M^A SHING TON. 



Nor was he far on Monmouth day, 
But, hastening on his martial way, 
Disaster overcame, and fought 
With fury, and victory wrought. 
Now is the hour, and he is sought 
To lead the drooping host to charms 
Of glorious success in arms. 
Disaster and inaction mark 
The patriot name and cause, for hark ! 
A wail ! and crackling flames arise 
From Chesapeake, and hastening flies 
Rumor of the Highland fastness 
Approached, and forts lost in distress. 

XIV 

From Dunderberg scarce four miles south 
Lies Stony Point, from mainland mouth 
A huge high tongue of piercing green 
Thrust in the stream that rolls between 
The shores three quarters of a mile. 
A beacon crowns the Point, and, while 
It lights each vessel's speeding way 
Upon the river with its ray. 
The centre of the fort surmounts, 
Covering the magazine, recounts 
The past, and opposite confronts 
The remnants of old Fort Fayette 



STONY POINT, 67 



At Verplanck's Point on east bank set." 

There Hudson anchored, when he first 

Sailed up the stream, and, moved with thirst 

Of curiosity to greet 

His craft, the Indians from their seat 

Within the Highland hills flock round 

In wonder at the pale face found. 

But one the white man's goods must steal. 

Only the deadly shot to feel ; 

And bitter hate abroad is spread 

O'er red men's blood by pale face shed. 

Three sides of Stony Point around 

The waters washing keep a bound 

Of safety, and toward land morass 

Of depth and dangerous they pass 

On narrow causeway, where high tide 

Risen makes an island on that side. 

A double row of abatis 

And outworks round the fort the bliss 

Of fancied strength afford the men 

Confined within the warlike pen ; 

And close at hand within the bay 

Some ships of war with cannon lay. 

The British in the Fort had placed 

Six hundred men, and Johnson graced 

With its command. A regiment. 

The seventeenth, and contingent 

Of grenadiers, that represent 



68 WA SUING TON. 



The seventy-first, fill up with some 
Artillery Bellona's home. 
And on the other eastern shore 
Lay Webster with as many more ; 
And these his soldiers to sustain 
Clinton his army will detain 
At Philipsburg, called Yonkers now, 
Opposing Jersey's rocky brow. 

XV 

Head of his army brave that lay 
Around him, Washington the way 
Of victory with Wayne had planned,''' 
Who would assault infernal land 
At his loved general's wise command. 
Twelve hundred light armed infantry 
From Massachusetts marched boldly 
With Wayne the morn of mid July 
To Sandy Beach, and waiting lie 
Half of the day, till noon-tide lags. 
Then o'er defiles and over crags 
And crossing deep morass they come 
Fourteen miles from their latest home 
In single file to rendezvous 
At eventide by waters blue, 
Below the fated Point a mile 
And more, and wait the chosen while 



STONY POINT. 69 



Till reconnaissance made, and sleep 
Beguile the foe like darkness deep. 

XVI 

The time of hoeing corn had been, 

And round the fort at day was seen 

No more dark Pompey with his fruits." 

Servant to patriot master, suits 

It more his purpose shrewd at night 

To peddle viands, and recite 

To the sentries the countersign. 

Given to help him within their line. 

This chosen day his knowledge gives 

Advantage to the host, and lives 

Dark Pompey in the roll of fame. 

•' The fort 's our own " they may declaim 

To guards that challenge their advance. 

'T is half eleven past, and glance 

The stars from heaven in splendor seen. 

Placid the river, and trees green 

With foliage rustle in the breeze. 

No barking dogs one hears or flees, 

For all the day before were slain. 

The sentinel near would detain 

Pompey with two farmers disguised, 

Who prompt with gag the man surprised. 

Another at the causeway near 



70 WASHINGTON. 



They silence likewise, and the fear 
Of premature repulse is lost. 
Through ebbing tide the army crossed, 
And then divided for the fray. 
Muhlenburg's three hundred stay " 
Reserved beyond the low morass, 
While unobserved the others pass 
In north and southern columns led 
Upon the fort; and at the head 
Of each with bayonets fixed, and load 
Of powder drawn, the van the road 
Essay, with Stewart faring forth" 
Upon the side pitched toward the north, 
And prompt De Fleury on the south." 
To brave Bellona's cannon mouth 
And abatis remove, a hope 
Forlorn of twenty men will cope 
With sure destruction for each band. 
With Gibbon and with Knox they stand. 
Brave comrades of their leaders brave. 
Behind them rolls the onward wave 
Of war in regiments of Meigs 
And Febriger, nor captain begs. 
For Wayne himself as chieftain leads, 
While Butler and Murfey like deeds" 
Of valor on the north advance, 
And glory of our name enhance. 



STONY POINT. yi 



XVII 

The sentinels their muskets fire, 

Fierce rolls the drum, and loud and dire 

The cry, " To arms! to arms! " that flies 

Throughout the fort. The soldiers rise, 

The ramparts swarm, the cannon roar, 

And shot and balls o'er stream and shore 

Destruction reign upon our men. 

" Advance! advance! " they hear again 

Along their ranks, and axes strike 

The obstacles, till lionlike 

Through opened way at cost of life 

Wayne heads the charge and leads the strife 

With flashing sword and piercing shout. 

O'er ditch and trees and rocks about 

They rush with bayonets firmly fixed, 

And, when their ranks with foemen mixed, 

Their hats with paper white bedecked 

Columbia's mutual slaughter checked. 

A ball strikes Wayne upon the head, 

And on the ranks he fell, and bled ; 

But, rising on a knee, he said, 

(With Fishbrow and Archer's support,) '° 

March on! carry me into the fort, 
For I will die at the head 
Of my column! " and on they sped. 
His men the deadly volleys take 



J 2 WASHINGTON, 



Upon their breasts, and vengeance make 

With rushing, sweeping bayonet thrust 

That scatters all between like dust. 

And tramples down. De Fleury leads, 

And valor by example breeds. 

He seeks and strikes the standard low, 

As in the fort the columns flow 

Together, and up the staff they run 

Fair freedom's flag to greet the sun. 

The garrison for quarters ask, 

And Johnson ends the useless task^' 

Of vain defense. Six hundred men, 

With guns and stores of war taken, 

Columbia's great victory crown, 

And o'er the land spreads Wayne's renown." 

XVIII 

" The fort 's our own! " the countersign 

Will sound along the lengthening line 

Of history's scroll, tho' men were slain 

Or wounded with Bellona's stain. 

" The fort 's our own! " Honor to those 

Who won the night, and mastered foes 

At risk and cost of precious life 

In freedom's name, with freemen's strife! 

" The fort 's our own! " tho' opposite 

Howe's project fail, and victory flit "' 



STONY POINT. 



71 



From those against Fort Fayette sent, 

And freedom's arrow backward bent. 

" The fort 's our own! " tho' soon destroyed 

By victors elsewhere best employed, 

And foemen came the scene to view, 

And all the deed of valor knew. 

*' The fort 's our own ! " A beam of light 

To-day adorns the famous site, 

And rays of guidance long have shown 

The place that Wayne's men made our own. 




CANTO FOURTH 

WEST POINT 



WEST POINT! a name forever dear' 
To patriots, whoe'er shall hear 
Of thee and praise thee not for all 
The echoes of the bugle call 
In freedom's memories extant 
Around thy crags reverberant ? 
Whoe'er shall see thy beauteous plain, 
Where trees in peaceful shadows reign, 
While frowning mountains guard thy flank 
And tortuous paths the river bank 
Encircle round the sloping rock, 
And northward, where the cannon shock 
Is heard, the wondrous stream a bay 
Becomes — shall see all this, and pay 
Not tribute to thy magic sway ? 
Here, fifty miles from ocean's roar, 

74 



WEST POINT. 75 



The deepened river's shelving shore 
On either side its narrowest bed 
Secures, and 'mid these hills, 't is said, 
Once Hudson hove his Half Moo7i sloop "^ 
To anchored rest, when Autumn's troop 
Their colors first unfurled to view 
In mid September's deepening hue. 
The falls dash down a mile away ^ 
O'er rocky bed, and churn their spray 
Like Buttermilk that lends its name 
To those cascades of neighboring fame; 
And toward the north, on island near, 
The wooded, rocky heights appear 
For Constitution named of old 
And forts erected in the wold. 
Above, old Cro' Nest and Storm King 
Stand guard with Taurus in the ring 
Of hills, with Breakneck on the north, 
And on the south there issue forth 
In hazy mass Anthony's Nose 
And Dunderberg, and sombre grows 
The huge Bear Hill, and ever throws 
On subject vales darkhng shadows. 



II 



Here, when the redmen kept the hill,* 
Algonkin warriors of shrill 



'j6 WASHINGTON. 



War-cry and painted cheek, bedecked 
With ornaments of wrath unchecked, 
Roamed hunting, or the river skimmed 
In double-bowed canoes, and dimmed 
The scene with dusky forms, or fought 
Foes till peace the calumet brought. 
Wigwams with smoking crests arose, 
And in the stream the angler throws 
His line, and great the booty grows. 
The field with maizy masses glows, 
And Shatemuc in beauty flows, ^ 
A hill-locked lake, which mirrored shows 
The sky and clouds, the mounts and trees. 
Or, furrowed, ruffles 'neath the breeze. 
Here fourteen score of years gone by 
Came Hendrick Hudson safe to lie 
At anchor in September's eve; 
And, when the English flags relieve " 
The Dutch of waving o'er their forts. 
The royal seal the land assorts, 
Congreve and Moore the Point receive; 
But, when the hills the war-cries leave, 
They deed to government the soil 
Hallowed by freedom's patient toil, 
To house the soldiers trained for war 
In future days, and near and far 
The academic glory spreads, 
Where valor peaceful learning weds. 



WEST POINT. 77 



III 



The peaceful scene of beauty lay- 
Prepared with bristling forts the fray 
Of revolution strife to bear 
On Constitution isle and where 
Poplopen's kill to Hudson's stream 
Descends, with chain and boom that seem 
To block the way at southern gate ; 
But all in vain ; for war's stern fate 
Gave Clinton all these citadels, 
Till northern misfortune repels 
Him with tidings of surrender 
Of Burgoyne, which retreat engender 
To city by the sounding sea. 
The new year opes auspiciously. 
And Parsons at the Point arrives ' 
With his brigade of troops, revives 
The works of war with Radiere ^ 
The fortifying to prepare 
In plans, while Kosciuszko's rare "" 
Accomplishments the building crown. 
Mount Independence with the frown 
Of Rufus Putnam's fort the plain '° 
O'erlooked, and lower rose the twain 
For Webb and Wyllys named. A chain " 
Of batteries the river bank 
Surrounds, and on its winding flank 



y2> WASHINGTON. 



Fort Arnold, later Clinton called/' 
Its threatening bulwarks reared, and walled 
The green with cannon the Point before, 
Where boom and chain together o'er 
The river stretched to island shore. 

IV 

What time Wayne marched his men below 
'Gainst Stony Point, and victory's glow 
Of joy the patriot line o'erspread, 
Columbia's gathered troops were led 
In force to occupy these hills, 
And thousands held the Point that fills 
The heart with thoughts of strife gone by. 
The axe and spade they busy ply. 
And Kosciuszko's work complete 
To stand for years our eyes to greet. 
Here, midst their stationed throng, 
Had Washington his tent, among " 
The year's slow-waning days, from rise 
Of Dog star till the full moon thrice 
And four times cast broad beams around. 
And bleak December nearing found 
The trees made bare and stiffened ground. 
Across the stream at Garrisons 
More regiments lay, and Nixon's '* 
Brigade on Constitution Isle 



fV£ST POINT. 79 



Encamped, while, past the long defile 
Toward Fishkill broadening, the rest 
Were stationed, to the war addressed, 
Did Discord's fangs the hills molest. 

V 

He conquers who can patient wait. 

So Fabius the Roman state 

Preserved from Hannibal, and great 

William from Spain could liberate 

The Netherlands confederate. 

Those lofty hills, a coronet 

Of emerald encircling, set 

Their guardian glory meetly met 

Around wise Washington, who let 

Not wily foes extend a net 

Of stratagem, wherein to fall. 

This nest of war, in easy call 

Of homing birds, attent to all 

The tidings sent, within its wall 

Of forest heights rejoiced, yet pall 

Of sadness felt at sorrow told. 

Exuberance of victory rolled 

Upon these shores from Wayne's fierce, bold, 

Surges of war that drowned the hold 

Of Albion below; nor cold 

Had grown his universal fame 



8o WASHINGTON. 



When with the rushing tide-wave came 

A new exploit, heroic name, 

A bag of ruddy, royal game 

From all the meed of praise to claim. 



VI 



*T was " Legion Harry " Lee who fell "* 

On Paulus' Hook (which now we spell 

As Jersey City) with his men 

Three hundred strong, and from the pen 

Of war captured red coats, eight score. 

Retreating safely from the roar 

Of August midnight enterprise, 

A medal, Congress voted, lies 

Upon his breast, and later fights 

He in the South, and later frights 

The Pennsylvania whiskey mob 

With magic name, while soldiers rob 

Of terror the rebellion sprung. 

What time dire news with sorrow wrung 

The land at Washington's demise, 

Apt words from his pen falling rise 

The hero lost to characterize 

The one " first in war, first in peace, 

And first in the hearts of his 

Countrymen " — panegyric wise. 

Whose echo lingering round us lies. 



WEST POINT. 8 1 



VII 

Hark ! wailing, burning, slaughter, cries " 

From western Wyoming arise. 

Thither has sped the caravan 

Of war with sturdy Sullivan, 

By brave James Clinton reinforced, 

Whose Highland forts Bellona coursed 

Erstwhile with drear catastrophe. 

Elmira's vale with victory 

O'er redmen and their tory friends 

Revenge for former slaughter sends 

Upon the crafty sons of war. 

To Genesee the patriots mar 

The country of the enemy, 

And then return their homes to see. 

VIII 

Lo! John Paul Jones on Albion's coast '^ 

With three small ships in battle tossed 

Upon the deep, till Serapis 

Shall yield, and convoyed fleet be his! 

September's days his prowess own. 

And mighty ocean now hath known 

The navy of Columbia, 

The rise of freedom's morning star 

Above horizon's nothingness 

6 



S2 WA SHING TON. 



In vasty billows numberless. 

The Bon Homme Richard in the fight 

Goes down in ocean tomb from sight, 

But victory afloat is ours. 

The waning year its closing hours 

Shall brighten round the Highland seat 

With message from the cruising fleet. 



IX 



Southward the wave of war had rolled,'^ 

And slowly surged through the winter cold 

Upon doomed Charleston, the fount of strife, 

And lately tossed with earthquakes rife. 

Scarce six months passed, and blooming May 

Saw Lincoln forced his sword to lay 

At Clinton's feet, while conquering bands 

Through Carolina ranged the lands. 

Round Marion, Sumter, Pickens still 

The patriots rallying fill 

The victors with alarm, e'en when 

De Kalb at Camden fell, and men 

Deserted Gates, whom Greene succeeds, 

And skillfully the army leads. 

The Northern host, contending 'gainst 

The bitter cold, with rude huts fenced 

Their shivering forms at Morristown, 

And hungered oft, braving the frown 



WEST POINT. 83 



Of nature and misfortune fell. 

The freezing blasts that year compel 

The New York Bay congealed to stand 

A solid floor, a level land, 

To bear artillery and troops. 

Then the lowest in the market droops 

The Continental credit pledged 

The patriot cause as one full fledged 

With sure success to clothe and feed. 

Then officers and men in need, 

Distressed, to Congress would proceed, 

Or homeward go, or intercede 

With bayonets for subsistence sought 

From those around whose lands they fought. 

Amid these Highlands, bleak hills beneath, 

The Massachusetts lines with Heath 

Their chieftain hutted lay, while 'round 

Them snow four feet thick spread the ground. 

And antipodes disaster found 

To add to cold a fiery wound, 

And Washington the tidings learned, 

How barracks in Fort Arnold burned 

In ruins lay, to ashes turned. 



X 



What time the Summer balm had come, 
And Clinton from the South to home 



84 WASiiiNcroN. 



Returning in the North had seen 

The city by the sea, the green 

Clad hills 'round Jersey's Springfield saw '" 

His troops adventured in the jaw 

Of battle by Knyphausen led, 

By Greene's resistance baffled, bled, 

And backward disappointed hurled. 

With flaunting scarlet standards furled. 

Then blooming on the wave-crashed crags 

Of Newport's rocky shore the flags 

Of lilied France are welcomed near — 

The Summer harvest of the drear 

Winter that housed at home the heart 

Of Lafayette, who then the part 

Of freedom's true ally sustained. 

And pleading pledged assistance gained. 

Six thousand under Rochambeau, 

Ready the gage of war to throw. 

Embarked in ships, a convoyed fleet. 

With Admiral De Tiernay meet 

To render aid across the sea. 

But reinforced the enemy 

With mighty fleet imprison fast 

In Narragansett Bay this last 

Return of long-hoped help, and wears 

Old Time away. September fares 

Its bronzing journey, and provokes 

A conference by Hartford's oaks 



WEST POINT. 85 



Of Washington and Rochambeau. 
So Washington must Eastward go, 
And leave an unsuspected foe 
To weave a web of wily woe. 



XI 



Mixtures of good and evil born, 

By grace restrained, by passion torn, 

Men's hearts to truth and falsehood turn, 

And by experiences learn 

Eternal laws of majesty 

That rule their endless destiny. 

In eastern Norwich on the Sound, 

Upon the blue Connecticut ground, 

Was Benedict Arnold given life;""* 

And, when the revolution strife 

Broke out, to Cambridge with his guards 

He marched, and Fort Ti afterwards 

Assailed at Ethan Allan's side. 

At Champlain's Lake his courage vied 

With Mars, and Canada was ware 

Of his bold spirit, who knew no care 

Of life in war's hot action lost. 

His Saratogan valor cost 

Burgoyne his lingering hope, tho* wounds 

Inflicted kept him close, and grounds 

Of popular complaint he gave 



86 ^A SUING TON. 



In Philadelphia by the knave 

Latent within that reappeared, 

And harsh and mercenary feared 

Not profit by extortion cursed. 

Led on by childish, wayward thirst 

Extravagant, he thought to sell 

For gain his country, and compel 

Her shame. Censure court-martial passed, 

And Washington with mildness cast 

On him the merited rebuke, 

Which his proud spirit would not brook. 

With Clinton now he corresponds, 

Signing " Gustavus " to his bonds 

Of infamy, to whom Andr^, 

** John Anderson," response must pay 

In Clinton's name. Matures the plot, 

As August nears, for valued spot 

Of warlike trust would Arnold gain 

In armed West Point, and would retain 

But as a spoil for gold to give 

To Clinton's troops, himself to live 

A traitor to his country's cause 

Within the lines once fought in war's 

Hot, rankling fury. Conference 

He first must have, and represents 

His need, his wife's friend Andre names 

For the debate, and fear he tames. 



WEST POINT. 87 



XII 

Of Genevese Swiss ancestry 

Was Andr^ born in London three 

Years ere the French-Indian war." 

In loving foiled, he sought the scar 

To soothe in martial service far 

From home in war-scourged Canada. 

A major, adjutant general, 

He was promoted, and with all 

Warm favor found from manners kind 

And poHshed powers of the mind. 

To serve his king, ambition sate, 

Enroll his name among the great, 

He met the false, and lost his life. 

September's leaves with breezes rife 

Had ripened in their dusky hue. 

And charmed the traveler's wandering view 

A week, when Arnold word he sent 

To meet him at Dobb's ferry, went 

There on the Vulture ; but access 

For Arnold from the shore the stress 

Of cannon fired warmly denied. 

And back to Garrisons he hied, 

And there amid the shading trees 

Robinson's house, headquarters, sees, 

Where he had planned to bring 

Lost Andre to some conferring. 



88 WASHINGTON. 



XIII 

A day past mid September gone, 

The Vulture sailed the stream alone 

To Teller's Point with Robinson,^'' 

Who letter sent to Arnold, shown 

To Washington, by whom advised 

'Gainst intercourse Arnold apprised 

The sender of the journey East 

To Hartford. Twenty days released 

September's sun from sombre night. 

When Andr6, riding, came in sight 

Of the Vuliurey and on her deck 

A day he spent, when mid the wreck 

Of Summer at the equinox 

And 'mid the night he hears oarlocks 

With mufiflcd blades approach, and Smitii 

From Haverstraw ascends, and, with 

Letter from Arnold, enters, him 

To row ashore. Where High Torn grim 

Its lofty shadow two miles throws 

Below fair Haverstraw, where grows 

A thicket dense, he lands to find 

Concealed the traitor, whose dark mind 

Of treason spoken now he hears 

With numerous words prolonged till peers 

The dawn above horizon's line; 

And to complete the dark design 



WEST POINT. 89 



Four miles northward reluctant rides 

The British adjutant, and hides, 

With covered scarlet coat besides, 

With Arnold in Smith's vacant manse, 

Within the patriot lines. Descants 

The traitor on his cherished plots, 

While Livingston the project blots 

From Teller's Point by firing guns 

On Vulture, so that down she runs 

At lower anchorage to rest. 

The morning hours the plotting dressed 

With plan matured, and named a day 

For British troops to change their way 

From Chesapeake to Highland forts, 

Where Arnold at the loud reports 

Of war the troops would prompt disperse, 

And loose the iron chain, and curse 

His country with catastrophe. 

Orders given the artillery 

And estimates of forces placed 

Upon West Point and of those traced 

As needed for defence, a list 

Of ordnance there, and tale of tryst. 

Where generals in council met 

With Washington, the traitor set 

In Andre's hands, a fatal net. 



90 WA SHING TON. 



XIV 

At ten o'clock they rise and part, 

And up the stream the oarsmen start, 

Returning Arnold to his place 

Toward eventide. With anxious face 

Andr^ besought his host to row 

Him to the Vulture, but to go 

Upon the stream once more declined 

Shrewd Smith; and o'er King's Ferry find 

They passage to the Eastern shore, 

And on to Crompond press, where more " 

Delay at vigilant Boyd's hands 

They suffer, till Arnold's pass stands 

For their deliverance, and sleep 

At Miller's cottage falls to keep 

Their wearied eyelids till the day. 

At Underbill's breakfasting they 

Part ere Pine's bridge is crossed, and Smith ^' 

To Fishkill turns, and Andre with 

Fatal papers southward wends. 

'T is Saturday, and the hour tends 

Toward ten o'clock, when Tarrytown 

Is within half a mile, and down 

In bushes by the stream the three, 

Paulding, Van Wart, and Williams, see 

The traveler approach unknown. 

Paulding with gun steps out alone, 



WEST POINT. 91 



And bids him tell the way he goes. 
He hopes that they belong to those 
Upon his own, the " lower," side. 
To whom falsely Paulding replied. 
Truth next the lost one's words prefer; 
" I am a British officer," 
And he must then be not detained. 
To dismount by Paulding constrained 
On show of watch with truth to glass 
His words, he fetches out his pass 
From Arnold, but 't is all too late. 
Within the bushes searched, the bait 
Of treachery upon his feet 
Is found, which his stockings secrete — 
Three tell-tale papers bound in each. 
A spy they name him, and to speech 
Of promised ransom turn deaf ear. 
They march him to North Castle near, 
And Jameson there in command 
To Arnold sends him with a band 
Of guards, and writes of papers found. 
Tallmadge appearing on the ground 
By pleading brought the captive back. 
And to North Salem turned his track. 
The captive on the Sabbath day 
To Salem came, and, writing, lay 
Before great Washington his name 
And rank to vindicate his fame. 



92 WASHINGTON. 

XV 

The chosen Sabbath day arrived, 
The time by treason's plot contrived 
To bring the hostile army here ; 
But failed the red-coats to appear. 
From Hartford Washington's return 
The French ambassador Luzerne 
At Fishkill stayed till Monday's light, 
When down to Garrisons' at sight 
Of sun he rode, and first inspects 
Redoubts upon the stream. Expects 
Base Arnold at the morning meal 
His noble chief. Instead, the seal 
Of Jameson arrives with news 
Of Andre's capture, and imbues 
The traitor with the fear of life. 
Apart, he tells and leaves his wife. 
Sunk in a swoon, perhaps to die. 
Of passing to West Point a lie 
He tells the aides, and, mounting, flies 
Down a steep path, and further hies 
Upon the silver stream in barge 
By oarsmen urged in hope of large 
Promised reward. The Vulture lay 
At Teller's Point, a bird of prey. 
Devouring oarsmen with their chief, 
Until to their deserved relief 



WEST POINT. 93 



Came Clinton, and released the crew, 
Their homeward journey to pursue. 

XVI 

At table, left by Arnold fled, 

Had Washington soon breakfasted, 

And o'er West Point, the silent works. 

Surveyed his glance, and noontide lurks 

Upon the scene, when he recrossed 

The silver stream, and, mounting, lost 

In wonder heard the story told 

And read the proofs of treason bold 

From Jameson at last received. 

He sorrowing the tale believed. 

And summoned Andre to the place, 

Yet never saw the lost one's face. 

On Tuesday Andr^ came, and slept 

Two nights at Western Point, well kept 

In custody, till Thursday sent 

Him down to Tappan, the event 

Of Friday's trials to await. 

The generals deliberate 

Upon his case, and as a spy 

They doomed him 'customed death to die. 

The following day Washington gave 

Approval to the sentence grave. 

And Sunday named whereon to wreak 



94 WASHINGTON. 



Its penalty. The British seek 

By parley Andre's life to save, 

But will not yield the traitor knave 

To suffer in his victim's stead, 

And selfish Arnold keeps his head. 

Parley delayed the bitter fate 

Till Monday noon ; and then in state " 

Went Andre forth, the multitude 

And troops and waiting gibbet rude 

To meet. A momentary pang 

'T will be, he said, about to hang. 

And bandaged his eyes, slipped the noose 

Over his head, and, while 't was loose, 

Permission used the throng to address ; 

I pray you to bear me witness 
That I meet my fate like a brave man." 
So died the major near Tappan, 
And buried lay in open field 
Forty years, till wounds had healed 
Between the lands, when England claimed 
And took her dead to abbey famed. 
At Westminster, near monument 
Of praise erst reared to represent 
The gratitude of George the Third 
On marbles graved with lasting word. 



WEST POINT. 95 



XVII 

So failed the plot against the land 

And people's cause, who constant stand 

And wait another year to gain 

Success. To wipe away the stain 

Of treason mentioned in a name 

The fort for Arnold called the same 

Remains not, but for Clinton known 

Continues to the present down. 

Forth from the Highlands southward rolled 

America's soldiers to fold 

With them of France the English host 

In Yorktown lost, and lay their boast 

Of conquest here. Returned, rejoiced, 

In May's fair bloom their joy they voiced ^^ 

At tidings of the Dauphin's birth 

In France, and hither brought their worth 

Of chivalry with Washington 

On May's last day, at waning sun, 

To feast and toast in colonnade 

Of trees by Villefranche made 

Upon the West Point plain displayed. 

With boughs and branches roofed and walled. 

With flowers festooned and garlands palled, 

And pillars girt with bayonets, 

Illumed at fall of night by sets 

Of lights, the arbor beamed with stars. 



96 WASHINGTON. 



While danced the dames with sons of Mars. 

The cannon roared at toasts announced, 

The volleys flashed, and then pronounced 

The officers a blessing prayed 

The dauphin born, while the troops made 

The welkin ring with hearty cheers 

Thrice given him. As midnight nears, 

The fireworks blaze, the rockets soar. 

The wheels revolve, and fountains pour. 

Trees bloom and fade, and beehives swarm, 

Balloons ascend, and stars perform 

With fleurs de lis against the sky, 

Till in the gloom extinct they die. 

So died the dauphin in the year 

Of France's revolution, near 

The fall of monarchy and rise 

Of liberty. Our soldiers' cries 

For blessing, answered v/ondrous wise, 

Raised him from earth's darkness to the skies. 

XVIII 

A year had fled, and peace was near; 
From Newburgh marched the army here 
To be disbanded and sent home. 
Save those retained, and of these some 
Upon the Point, where in the year come 
Of ninety-four the Congress sets 



WEST POINT. 97 



A corps with thirty-two cadets 
Artillerists and engineers, 
Till strife in eighteen twelve appears, 
When swells the number, and the corps 
Of engineers is something more 
As an academy of war, 
Whilst the frontier of Canada 
The prowess of our soldiers knows. 
Contending 'gainst their country's foes. 
The Indian and Mexican 
Have later felt American 
Valor trained here to win success 
By art and science given to bless 
Courage with sound discretion's reign. 
Thayer in marble on the plain, ^^ 
A graduate and warrior proved, 
Stands looking on the work beloved 
He superintended sixteen years, 
Whilst on his right by shade trees peers 
The chapel with the blazoned names 
Of generals, whose deathless fames 
The Revolution crowned, and cased 
The flags won from Cornwallis graced 
The walls, and studious thousands faced. 
Leftward on Trophy Point the links 
Of Revolution's chain that shrinks 
In modest length around the bronze 
In cannon cast. La Monarque, once 

7 



98 WASHINGTON. 



To La Fayette by Congress given. 
Near by, from war's hot fury driven 
To rest, stretch rows of cannon won 
From Mexican and bold Briton. 
Upon the banks mid shadows green 
Brave Kosciuszko's shaft is seen 
Above flirtation walk serene 
That shaded winds, and winding ends 
In garden where sweet nature blends 
With art ; both beauteous memories give 
Of Poland's love-lorn fugitive. 

XIX 

For Dade and his command who fell " 
In distant Florida, and well 
Serving their loved country, endures 
A marble shaft that long insures 
Their recollected bravery. 
Across the plain one slavery 
In war had slain ensculptured stands, 
Sedgwick doomed in Virginia's lands.'" 
Beyond, the shaded, twisting road 
To cemetery leads, abode 
Of sleeping heroes in the green, 
Where many warrior names are seen. 
The revolution Alden recalls,^" 
Thompson at Okee-cho-bee falls," 



WEST POINT. 99 



And Winfield Scott wins Mexico." 

Again see Anderson the woe " 

Of war in Sumpter bear, and hear 

The roar of Gilmore's guns that peer" 

Embrasured deadly. The rattle 

Of Custer's sabres sounds in battle^' 

'Round us, and far away the fight 

Of Wilderness and plain to light 

Is brought, and forts besieged and won. 

Here Grant,^" Sherman," and Sheridan " 

Their great renown began, and they 

Who led opposing hosts the way 

Of war to traverse afterward 

Here learned, e'en Lee^^ and Beauregard," 

'Gainst whom McClellan led his men*' 

And Halleck, those weary days when " 

The land divided fought and bled 

That Washington left united. 

XX 

Cadets three thousand four hundred 
Have drilled and studied here, numbered 
'Mongst officers or civilians. 
Engineering for the millions. 
Ordeals they passed, and entered in, 
The awkward squad survived to win 
Their way to swell the dress parade, 



100 WASHINGTON. 



And hear band music deftly played. 
The sunset gun is fired, down flies 
The flag, and at the chieftain's cries 
The arms are manualed, report 
The sergeants, and with orders short 
And officers' salute dismissed 
Fades the parade. Reveille kissed 
The slumber from the sleeping brow, 
And guard mount strains are wafted now 
To listening ears. Inspection looks 
Each week at arms and garb and nooks 
Of quarters open, whilst night-time 
In camp mingles soft music's chime 
With rhythmic foot-prints in the darice, 
Until tattoo ends glide and glance. 
They swim the stream, and ply the oars, 
With rifles fired resound the shores, 
And pontoon bridges cross the waves. 
The hissing ball the float mark shaves, 
Or on the mount descending strikes. 
Hark! hear the drill the soldier likes, 
Artillery rattling, firing loud. 
And dust arising as a cloud 
Upon the plain by horses swept. 
With sabres horsed to charge adept 
The youth ride by, or in mild ranks 
Of infantry evolve by flanks. 
And march, or charge, or skirmish quick. 



IVEST POINT. lOI 



The four years up, visitors pick 
The learned valor out, approve 
The work, and see the soldiers move 
In drills that represent their skill. 
Examinations passed, they will 
Enjoy the graduation hop. 
And spin the saltatory top. 
Diplomas given beneath the trees 
Shall end the days of gray for these, 
Changed to brave officers in coats 
Of blue, and others come. So floats 
The stream of life 'mid hills of war 
With shadows reaching out so far. 




CANTO FIFTH 

FISHKILL 

I 

ENDURING steadfast, mountains stand 
With verdure sprinkled o'er the grand 
Array of rocks exposed, while glide 
In living motion waters wide 
Or narrow of the rushing stream. 
Of things in daylight seen we dream 
At night, and environs the mind 
Affect, and mountaineers may find 
In rocky hills exemplars meet 
To guide and hold their shifting feet. 
The stars above look down in hope 
On earth that weary scans their cope 
To read a promise of success 
To come, and from the wilderness 
Of struggle passing to the plain 
Of safety peaceful, where the reign 

102 



FISHKTLL. 103 



Of free industry is assured. 

One winter more patient endured 

Shall find America's fair spring 

Of blossomed glory appearing, 

And Washington with diadem 

Of victory elect with them 

Who erst for freedom strove and won. 

December's solstice nears the sun, 

When winter quarters had begun 

For all the host safe from treason 

Delivered, and in Morristown 

The Pennsylvanians from the frown 

Of nature housed them, whilst Pompton 

Hides the Jersey brigades, and on 

The Hudson's banks Massachusetts 

Continuing the cause abets 

With four brigades at West Point placed. 

On eastern shore confronting faced 

These two Connecticut brigades. 

With New Hampshire's men and the aids 

Rhode Island sent. But Washington 

At New Windsor tarried for one 

More waiting till the war had run 

Its course and set, as when the sun 

Victorious its glory sheds 

Around to linger on the heads 

Of mountains, farewell fond to say 

To sturdy toilers of the day. 



[04 WASHINGTON. 



II 



November sombre in Eighty, 

Over a hundred years lately 

Gone by, the friendly coming hailed 

Of Gallia's Marquis, who had sailed * 

From home to visit the allies 

Of France, and from the east with wise 

Footsteps to old Fishkill journeyed — 

De Chastellux his name we read. 

Then fifty houses lay around 

The village site within the ground 

Of Rambout's patent, where the creek 

Flows shaded 'neath the hills to seek 

The Hudson's broader silver stream. 

Borne back two centuries we seem, 

When Rambout's daughter marries Brett, 

And they their country mansion set 

Within these lands, standing to-day. 

Verplancks and Van Voorhees this way 

Settle ; Brinckerhoffs and Van Vliets, 

De Peysters and Van Wycks their seats 

Establish; Van Tassels, Du Bois, 

Schoutens, Ter Boos, Noostrands make choice 

Of homes, Brevorts, Ostranders, Schencks, 

Hegemans, Roosekrans, Lessinks, 

Swartwouts, De Largers, and the rest, 

Unmentioned, yet among the best. 



FISH KILL. 105 



III 



Two churches then in Fishkill stood, 

The one of stone and one of wood. 

The latter housed the English rite ; 

And, when the patriots from the sight 

Of war around New York removed, 

E'en here to Fishkill it behooved 

Their Congress of the state to come, 

And use the English churchly home 

In Constitutional debate. 

Through wintry months here sat the great 

At work upon our law till fear 

Of war in February drear 

Moved them to Kingston, where in May 

Of seventy seven the day 

Of dissolution dawned. They part 

With two years' labor o'er, a chart 

To give, a Constitution long 

To guide the people, and from the wrong 

Defend the right. Twice since we changed 

The ancient instrument, estranged 

From current use, and oft enlarged 

Its articles, like branches charged 

On high with fruits and leafage grown 

That still for life their rooting own 

In ancient trunk and netted coil 

Of seed-sprung shoots beneath the soil. 



I06 WASHINGTON. 



IV 



In the same church where sage debate 
Resolved a charter for the state, 
First printed in Fishkill, the sick 
Soldiers were nursed to keep the wick 
Of life afire, whilst caged near by 
The prisoners of the war lie 
In the Dutch church erst made of stone. 
A row of port-holes wisely thrown 
Into the upper story walls 
Against the Redmen's arrows, balls, 
And fierce attack had lent defense ; 
And here was Crosby for offense ' 
Of seeming aid to royal foes 
Confined a captive, kept with those 
Whom his espial had disclosed 
To patriot leaders that supposed 
And knew his knowledge truly told. 
Escape, connived at, to his old 
Service restored the spy a while, 
Till darkling danger from his guile 
Dissuaded him. But still he lives 
In Cooper's storied page that gives 
The Spy his due of grateful praise, 
Describes the Wharton house of days * 
Gone by, built by Van Wyck, and all 
The scene around, where mountains fall 



FISH KILL. 107 

With shadows on the plain below, 
And Fishkill's babbling waters flow. 



V 



At Wharton house the officers 

Their quarters kept ; and horse and spurs 

But two miles passed to Washington, 

When he headquarters placed at one 

Time with the Brinckerhoff to north ' 

And east beyond ; and southward forth 

Toward the mountains barracks lay 

To house the soldiers from the fray 

Of conflict or of winter cold. 

A noble walnut tree of old 

Before the manse adorned the field, 

With iron ring, where soldiers yield 

To chastisement. The magazines, 

Work-house and prisons dot the greens; 

And in the corner, where the road 

Branches eastward, where the corn is sowed, 

We look upon the last abode 

Of soldiers dead and buried here, 

Who fell from wounds and lack of cheer. 

O martyred host, obscure, unnamed. 

Unnumbered, but forever famed. 

Revered and loved ! some sightly shaft 

Of modern wealth and modern craft 



1 08 WA SHING TON. 



Shall yet this hallowed spot adorn, 

Inscribed like ancient legend borne 

Upon Thermopylae's great stone, 

Through freedom's realms by all men known, 

** Stranger go, to America tell; 

Obedient to her laws we fell." 



VI 



All this the Marquis saw, and turned 

To travel southward, where he learned 

The way to West Point winding led 

Between the mountains with their bed 

Of caves and tangled trees for bears 

That lurk within these lofty lairs. 

Within the woods a fort appears 

Beside the road, and now he nears 

The sombre shades of Beacon hill 

And Grand Sachem, where patriots fill 

The night betimes with warning fires, 

In lieu of telegraphic wires, 

Of news or danger nigh to tell. 

Four miles he had descended well 

On his journey, when in a camp 

Hundreds of soldiers with the stamp 

Of suffering on their naked forms 

Were seen, there sheltered from the storms, 

With ready arms and courage strong, 



FISHKILL. 109 



Enduring steadfast through the long 

Conflict for liberty and life. 

O men of later day, whom strife 

Successful of those heroes dead 

Enriched with land and freedom wed 

To civic and religious right, 

Can we within the very sight 

Of hallowed scenes of woe like these. 

Embowered 'mid the mountain trees, 

With bribes and drink contaminate 

The regulation of the state ? 

VII 

Onward, downward, the traveler fares, 
Whilst Autumn's changing Nature wears 
Her gorgeous gown and fading face. 
Till to the stream he turns to trace 
His way, when on his raptured sight 
The hill-crowned Hudson comes to Hght, 
With forts and warlike armaments. 
And shores that gleam with lines of tents, 
And on the eastern bank he leaves. 
Where northward rounding Taurus heaves 
Its shaded rocks against the sky, 
Upon the circling camp his eye 
May glance from Table Rock around " 
To Foundry Cove — all hallowed ground. 



no WA SHING TON. 



For where the village meets the bank 

A spring was found, and there they drank 

In olden days, e'en Washington, 

'T is said, who slaking thirst at one 

Cool fount, and, drinking, lingering 

Pronounced it a very cold spring/ 

Upon the hillside Butterfield,* 

The General, dwells, who lately sealed 

Devotion to his country's good 

In days of civil war with blood 

He risked and shed on many fields. 

Spared, May's first morn fresh honor yields^ 

To him, who leads the pageantry 

Of civic worth and industry 

This year before the President," 

And summer sees him represent 

The triumph of our arms in war 

Beside imperial Russia's czar." 

VIII 

Under the cliffs of Taurus lies 

The pillared porch of Morris, wise " 

In days gone by to weave the strains 

For singing that Erato deigns 

To love, when couched in ballad verse. 

And now his ashes in the hearse 

Of buried nature with us dwell 



FISHKILL. 1 1 1 



By mountain stream he loved so well. 

Where troops encamped now dwellings rise, 

And churchly spires point toward the skies, 

Whilst shops infold the foliaged streets. 

Below in foundry cove the seats " 

Of skillful toil resound with stress 

Of labor moulding stubbornness 

Of iron to some shrewd design. 

Rebellion's cannon conquering line 

Of deadly hail here deftly cast 

Assisted victory at last 

To bring our struggling arms, and keep 

United still the land whose sweep 

Of power vast the dream excels 

Of revolution's sentinels. 

Here Kemble planned,'* and Parrott " wrought, 

And Paulding's entertaining thought " 

In novels cast still lingers round 

The hill that heard war's iron sound. 



IX 



So glanced the Marquis o'er the scene 
Where beauty reigns with peace serene ; 
And as he passed upon his way 
The winter fell with shortened ray 
Of waning sun that waxes bright 
Once more with victory's blest light 



112 WA SHING TON. 



In eighty-one's auspicious year. 
At Morristown and Pompton fear 
Of mutiny of suffering troops 
Is overcome, though CHnton stoops 
To tempt their constancy with bribes, 
And remedy the law prescribes. 
Now Arnold with a force ascends " 
The river James, and fiercely sends 
Destruction o'er Virginia's land 
In show of zeal with change of hand 
To royal cause and royal sword. 
Relief the people roused afford 
The state, and Lafayette combines 
With Gallia's fleet within the lines 
Of trapping war the fox to seize. 
'T is not to be; the traitor flees 
Unto New York and Philips leaves 
The red destruction to fulfill. 
And execute the royal will. 



Up from the south Cornwallis moves 

Till dashing Tarleton rashly proves 

For his proud chief the valorous mood 

Of Morgan's troops in hardihood 

At Cowpens shown. The chieftain springs " 

To prompt pursuit, but Morgan flings 



FISHKILL, 113 



His brave retreating host across 

Catawba's stream too soon, and loss 

Of time from rain the Briton holds, 

Till Yadkin's flood our men infolds 

From capture, and Greene takes command. 

Now to the Dan across the land 

They rush, and blood from shoeless feet 

Of patriots their pathway fleet 

With fearful tell-tale stains reveals, 

Till passage o'er the river seals 

Awhile for them security. 

Now reinforced futurity 

For Greene proclaims advance and stand 

To make at Guilford Court House, planned 

By Cornwallis to be attacked. 

Defeat befell ; yet the Briton tracked 

Him not, but wounded sore made way 

To Wilmington to bide his day 

Beside the sea. Defeat again 

Befell brave Greene near Camden 

At Rawdon's hands toward April's end, 

Nor may the victory descend 

Complete on him at Eutaw Springs, 

September-fought, but halting brings 

Him to the high hills of Santee 

Adjacent to the sounding sea. 



114 ^-^ SHING TON. 



XI 



The northern chieftain faithful kept 

One wintry vigil more, nor slept 

In hopelessness, for dawn drew near. 

The Martial winds were blowing drear '* 

Across these fields, when eastward rode 

The chief to Newport, and abode 

Three weeks with Gallia's leaders brave 

And courteous, planning to pave 

A way of war to victory. 

May bloomed upon their bravery 

With conference at Weathersfield, 

Connecticut, and planning sealed 

The orders westward to advance. 

And soon the gleaming bayonets glance 

On Hudson's eastern stretching shore 

Around Dobb's Ferry and before 

The Bronx's narrow, shaded, stream. 

Six weeks, till mid-August, the dream 

Of chivalry American 

And their allies, the Gallican, 

Encamp to threaten prompt descent 

Upon New York; and word was sent 

To Cornwallis beside the sea 

To march and rest his arms, to be 

Prepared to Clinton's aid to sail. 

De Grasse now writes that he will hail 



FISH KILL. 115 



Virginia's coast at Chesapeake, 
And landing for his soldiers seek. 
Southward the allied host must fare, 
And Cornwallis encamped ensnare. 
Below us a short way very, 
Only twelve miles, at King's Ferry, 
The allies cross our silver stream 
On march triumphant, whilst foes dream 
Attack impending upon New York. 
Through Trenton, Philadelphia, work 
The armies brave their way, till all 
Too late the fatal schemings fall 
Opened on Clinton's mind deceived. 
To stop the march a plan conceived 
Sent Arnold to New London east '° 
With burning massacre to feast 
Upon the state, whose cause he sought 
To stab ; but all in vain ; for nought 
Could turn the hand of history 
From Yorktown's shore of victory. 

XII 

September's closing days beheld " 
The British Yorktown host compelled 
A siege to stand. De Grasse with ships 
Shut up the bay, and from the lips 
Of Washington and Rochambeau 



Il6 WASHINGTON. 



Fell orders to the encircling row 
Of gathered troops. De Lauzun brave " 
With his dragoons across the wave 
On Gloucester's Point completes the net. 
Approaches made, the cannon let 
Their deadly roaring loose to crush 
The works and hostile firing hush. 
Nearer they draw, and now they rush 
Upon redoubts. Against the one^^ 
Brave Hamilton, with Fish, Ogden," 
Laurens, Gibbs, and Gimat charges; 
Against the other enlarges 
French valor for the commonweal, 
Led by the Baron Viomenil,"" 
Dumas, De Deuxponts, De Lameth, 
And young De Sireuil, doomed to death. 
Triumphant valor captures all, 
Nor can a dashing sortie fall 
Successful on the nearing lines. 
A dreadful storm blasts the designs 
By Gloucester to escape from fate ; 
And Clinton's aid has sailed too late. 
Past mid-October, in the morn. 
Must Cornwallis, of glory shorn. 
To parley beat, and terms accept, 
Surrendering all, by vengeance swept, 
A name disgraced, a fame unwept. 



FISH KILL. 



117 



XIII 



The nineteenth of October, long 

Hoped for, saw the allied ranks, strong 

With sixteen marshaled thousands, ranged 

Beside the Hampton road ; and, changed 

From pomp to woe, the captive host, 

Seven thousand strong, with humbled boast, 

And colors cased, and drummers' blare 

Of music in a British air. 

At two o'clock by solar light, 

O'Hara leads between the right" 

Line drawn up of Americans 

And left array of Galileans, 

Whilst twenty thousand populace 

With joyful mien surround the place. 

To Washington he bows, and pleads 

Excuse for Cornwallis, who needs 

Seclusion in a sheltering tent, 

But with his sword O'Hara sent. 

Then Washington to Lincoln waves " 

Him for directions that he craves. 

So Lincoln led them to the field. 

And there O'Hara meek must yield 

The sword, by Lincoln given back. 

Following in their chieftain's track 

The twenty-eight captains in line, 

With colors cased, must now consign 



1 1 8 WA SHING TON. 



The standards of their regiments 
To twenty-eight marshaled sergeants 
Six paces from their rank arrayed. 
The transfer gracefully to aid 
Between them stands the young ensign 
Wilson, youngest officer in line, 
Who takes the standard from each hand, 
And gives it to the sergeant band. 
Then arms are piled upon the ground, 
Accouterments laid down ; and sound 
Of war has ceased. The ships to France 
Are given, and warlike stores enhance 
The treasures of the allied arms, 
Triumphant 'mid the war's alarms. 

XIV 

A hundred years had passed away 
Upon the land, where Yorktown's ray 
Of triumph grand with glory crowned 
Successful all the patient wound 
Of steadfastness the modest name 
Of Fishkill signifies to fame; 
And on that same peninsula 
Of revolution's weary war 
McClellan had in contest sore 
Contended for a union more 
Prolonged than passion's fury wished. 



FISHKILL. 



The greater nation, from the famished 
Conflicts emerged, would celebrate. 
With foreign guests of Gallia great 
And Brave Germania, the weight 
Of ancient worth and valor proved. 
With oratory it behooved 
The present to salute the past, 
A monumental base to cast. 
And troops parade for the event 
Before the graceful President, 
Who, like the knightly Arthur told 
In British legend writ of old, 
The vanquished foe now friendly held. 
Would bind in bands that kindreds weld; 
For at the mandate from his lips 
Upon the mastheads of our ships 
The British standard greets the breeze. 
And now the gathered wonder sees 
The yards are manned, and cannon roar 
A loud salute o'er sea and shore, 
To tell the world the ancient strife 
Was not for death but all for life 
And peace for all humanity 
In keeping Saxon liberty. 



CANTO SIXTH 

NEWBURGH 



FOR William prince of Orange famed, 
And later England's king, they named 
A county by the Highland stream/ 
And, where it broadens in a dream 
Of bay-like beauty, England's Queen, 
The good Queen Anne, whose arms had been 
Assisted by Palatines brave 
In Europe's wars, a refuge gave 
To their distress, when fiercely driven 
From home by persecutions given 
In Louis' harsh religious zeal/ 
With patents from the royal seal 
Foundations of a town they lay, 
A Newburgh called, and on the Tay 
In Scottish land near high Dundee, 
But nearer Perth washed by the sea, 

120 



NEWBURGH. \2 



An older Newburgh erst was made. 
But weary grown the Teutons bade 
America's Rhine a long farewell, 
And in their stead there came to dwell 
The English, Irish, Huguenots, 
To risk their scalps and crops and cots 
Amid the lurid Indian's yells, 
Whose breast with raging envy swells. 



II 



The heathen aborigines 

Were wont to hold horrid orgies 

Upon Dans Kamer's Point that lay 

At Northern end of Newburgh bay; 

And Bachtamo their god adored. 

And help in all their schemes implored. 

When to the hunt or war about 

To march, here first they hold a rout, 

Conjurers turned in somersaults, 

Or smote themselves for all their faults, 

Leaped round the blaze in maddened gyre, 

Or charged, abandoned, through the fire. 

Then all the tribe with caterwaul 

Invoke to come the devil foul, 

Whom in an animal they see, 

If ravenous, bad prodigy, 

If innocent, fair augury. 



122 WA SHING TON, 



The savages with warfare sly 
Oft scourged the settlers doomed to die 
Beneath their hand, and Minnisink 
For e'er remains a dreaded brink 
Of massacre, once wrought by Brant. 
At Goshen now a shaft extant 
Commemorates the whites who fell. 
Contesting for their homes right well 
That Julian day in Seventy-nine,'' 
Where Delaware's ravines entwine 
Their rocky knolls with bosky vine. 



Ill 



In Orange saw the Clintons light, 
Immortal trio, George who right * 
Wisely as governor ruled the state. 
And James who led to war's debate ^ 
The soldiery, sire of De Witt," 
His greater son, chosen to sit 
As chieftain of the state, and plan 
The great canal, now free, that ran 
Between Lake Erie and the sea. 
To fight the royal enemy 
The people raised six regiments. 
Du Bois as colonel brave presents ^ 
The continental Fifth in line. 
From Goshen Allison the sign 



NEWBURGH. 1 23 



Of valor leads ; from Florida 

Come Hathorn's soldiers to the war, 

And Cornwall's patriotic host, 

By WoodhuU led, maintain their post. 

James Clinton heads New Windsor's braves, 

And o'er the Newburgh warriors waves 

The sword of Hasbrouck in command — 

All sworn to free their native land. 

Quebec and Montreal in fight 

The Orange valor bring to light ; 

Fort Schuyler, Saratoga's field. 

And Yorktown's cape fresh honor yield. 

And in the annals of the state 

Their names enroll among the great. 



IV 



Where Otterkill its waters pours 
Upon the Hudson's favored shores. 
Now Moodna Creek or Murderer's called. 
On broad Plum Point a battery walled ' 
And armed with guns, by Machin made. 
An iron chain and boom surveyed 
That stretched across to Pollepel's isle " 
To close the stream 'gainst force or guile. 
Below the Creek Sloop Hill arose. 
Where vessels landed their cargoes, 
With beacon fires illumed at night 



124 WASHINGTON. 



To flash the news along with light 
In days of periled freedom's fight. 
West of New Windsor lay the Square 
With mansions round about, and there 
The generals erst their quarters placed. 
Greene, Qinton, Knox and St. Clair graced 
The scene with Gates and La Fayette, 
Whilst in the village, neighboring yet, 
Had Washington his quarters set/" 



In prosperous Newburgh, toward the south, 

Above Quassaic's broadening mouth, 

Lies Hasbrouck's house with gable roof,'' 

Built six score years ago, and proof 

Against the gnawing tooth of time. 

Within its walls we hear the chime 

Of mellow memories — the shrewd 

Designs of patriots, imbued 

With yearnings all the state to free, 

The mustering of company 

And regiment that marched away 

To swell America's array. 

E'en valiant Hasbrouck's own command 

To help emancipate the land. 

From Philadelphia, where he stayed 

The Winter after Yorktown made 



NEWBURGH. 1 2$ 



Our arms victorious in war, 
Came Washington to dwell afar 
From home once more another year, 
And in his house of stone from fear 
And danger ward the waiting state. 
Upon the stoop the Highland gate 
And stream he might with ease survey, 
And mountain range across the Bay. 
Within, the room of seven doors 
And single window, where fire roars 
In huge recess, a welcome gave 
To peaceful guests and warriors brave. 



VI 



While discontent stole through the host, 

Encamped around these hills, and boast 

Of mutiny was murmuring heard, 

Redress from Congress seemed absurd, 

And violence appeared the way 

To wrest just treatment from delay. 

In Pennsylvania's ranks enrolled 

Led Lewis Nicola in bold 

Array of arms a regiment, 

Who in the bloom of May had sent " 

A missive to the chief revered. 

In which he pondered on the feared 

Stability of government 



126 WASHINGTON, 



Republican, to represent 

Advantages of monarchy, 

The English one particularly, 

And urge with gentle hint made plain 

The kingly title and the reign 

Majestic for the chief addressed. 

But Washington such schemes repressed 

With patriotic promptitude, 

Rebuking all such hardihood, 

Injurious to the struggling state. 

Unlike ambitious Caesar, great 

In war, who thrice refused a crown, 

A single nay enough renown 

Brought him, who played no pompous part, 

But showed mankind an honest heart. 

VII 

The camps amid the Highland hills 
Columbia's resting army fills, 
While Frank allies the Winter pass 
Within Virginia's lines, alas! 
The keeper, too, with Maryland, 
Of Britain's second lost command. 
Revolving time the summer brings. 
And Northward Gallia's army wings 
Its homeward way across the lea. 
Their brave allies once more to see 



NEWBURGH. 12/ 



And bid farewell and fond Godspeed, 

Columbia's soldiers, valiant breed 

Of foemen armed, to Peekskill wend 

Their way by road or boat, descend 

Upon Verplanck's high pointed shore, 

And wait their martial guests before 

The bay that like Lake Como seems. 

With ordered tents the landscape gleams. 

September's speeding fortnight beams 

Upon the serried martial lives, 

When Rochambeau the brave arrives, 

His welcome host in arms to lead 

'Tvvixt dual lines that orders heed, 

Arranging them from ferry pier 

To quarters of the chieftain near. 

The right wing under Gates is ranked 

In two divisions closely flanked. 

In one McDougall leads again " 

Rhode Island and Connecticut's men, 

And in the other Scotch St. Clair'* 

With New York and New Jersey's pair 

Of bold brigades, four regiments. 

Deployed in steady line, presents. 

The left wing stands with sturdy Heath," 

With one division ranged beneath 

The sabre in Lord Stirling's hand," 

From Massachusetts' eastern land 

And bleak New Hampshire's mountains grand, 



128 WA SHING TON. 



Whilst Howe's division is complete '" 
With men from Massachusetts, meet 
To start the war, and victory greet. 
All uniformed and armed they rest. 
Five thousand strong, to hail the guest 
Of Gallia lingering in the West. 

VIII 

Up from the strand the Frenchmen come, 
With banners flying, sound of drum. 
And martial music, horses' stamp. 
Artillery rumbling, and the tramp 
Of ordered thousands, bright arrayed. 
De Lauzun's legion undismayed, 
With ViomeniTs light infantry. 
Appears, the flower of Gallic chivalry, 
Whose regiments are marching on, 
With Montmorenci, De Deux Fonts, 
Wounded at the Yorktown redoubt. 
And Custine, leading them 'mid shout 
Of victory. At Crompond, near '^ 
Mohegan and Mohansic's mere 
Of dual waters beautiful, 
The French encamp ; and dutiful 
To Mars the allied hosts review 
Their mutual lines, marshaled in true 
Allegiance to the warlike art. 



NEWBURGH. 1 29 



Nor are there lacking to the heart 

Of patriotic chivalry 

The rites of hospitality 

And joyous round of courtesy, 

To celebrate the victory. 

IX 

A month they spend in social joy, 
When toward October's end with coy " 
And envious wing the flight of Time 
The allies sundered from the clime 
By stream and mountain beautified. 
Eastward the army dignified 
By Rochambeau's wise leadership 
In perfect order marched. 'Mid drip 
And pour of rain our soldiers strike 
Their tents, and follow the turnpike 
O'er Sachoes' brook and toilsome hill " 
To Redoubt mountain wood, where still 
The pleasing forest shades the eye. 
All night beneath the heavens they lie 
At Garrisons, till morning light 
With dawn salutes their waking sight 
And rouses them the stream to cross. 
Their journey meets no loitering loss 
As up the Butter Hill they press, 
And though another night caress 



130 WASHINGTON, 



The couch and pillow of the ground, 

The morning's rise and march have found 

At New Windsor the camp regained. 

So left they ancient Peekskill, drained 

Of all that grand array, the forts 

And lookouts toward the bay, and sports 

Of international delight. 

Now to Fort Independence site " 

The soldiers of the state repair 

In summer months the garb to wear 

And arms to use of warlike drill. 

And keep alive our martial skill; 

Whilst from the village near to view, 

Where matchless Whitefield's preaching threw' 

A saving charm o'er sinners called. 

And all his listeners enthralled, 

Doth silver speech her power renew 

In world-famed Chauncey M. Depew." 



X 



So rested in their winter camp 

The army, and with reflection stamp 

Unbearable their tardy pay. 

To their memorial delay 

And empty promises are given 

By the Congress, till onward driven 

A mutiny seems ripe and near. 



NEWBURGH. 131 



Bold Armstrong calls a meeting here 

Within the camp of officers 

For measures as occasion offers. 

But Washington censures the call" 

Disorderly, and to forestall 

Disaster bids the chieftains meet. 

With words dignified and discreet 

And sympathetic the revolt 

In bud he nips, and spent the bolt 

Seditious falls. Wise words enhance " 

Again the stoop of Hasbrouck's manse, 

Where he the speech of power writ, 

As rosy June there sees him sit, 

And governors of the states address 

Upon the prevalent distress 

Throughout the body politic, 

With feeble constitution sick. 

In later day a gifted child 

Of letters hath in Idlewild 

With rhythmic power brought delight, 

As Willis thrilled his lyre, and sight '" 

Of Highland scenes with golden glow 

Illumed the storied page of Roe." 



XI 



Peace ! peace ! for this the warring world 
Contends and waits. The flag, unfurled 



1 3 2 WA SHING TON. 



In blood at Lexington, eight years" 

Thereafter at Newburgh appears 

With peaceful acclamations hailed. 

In diplomatic Paris failed 

Not our statesmen to negotiate 

The independence of the state. 

Adams, Franklin, Jay, and Laurens " 

Write peace and greatness with their pens 

For us, while Oswald, Fitzherbert '" 

And Strachey sign for Britain's hurt 

And weal the day November ends.^' 

Concord, white-winged, her journey wends 

Westward, and Congress, glad at peace 

Bids tell. Hostilities shall cease. 

The army lines the Hudson's banks 

With burnished arms in serried ranks, 

And banners floating in the air. 

Arms they present, and lo ! the blare 

Of cannon roars reverberant 

From West Point near, with fiery chant 

Of joy in musket volleys rolled 

Along the lines. The camp a fold 

Of worshippers in Temple walls ^' 

Becomes ; in prayer lowly knelt falls 

The reverent host, whilst Gano prays," 

Adoring the Ancient of Days, 

Jehovah Saboath, God of victory. 

The supplication ended, see! 



NEWBURGH. 1 33 



The risen host with music stilled, 

As Billings' joyous anthem thrilled ^* 

The balmy April peaceful air. 

The speeding day the patriots wear 

Away with feasts and social joy, 

Till Eve her mantle gathers coy 

And sombre round Day's loveliness. 

Up from the south the warning stress 

Of booming cannon sounds to arms, 

And thrice along the line the charms 

Of martial joy in lightning flash 

Are loudly peaied around to dash 

In thundered waves upon the hills, 

Whilst ruby light the heaven fills. 

Forth from the shrouded mountain peaks 

Each beacon fire its message speaks 

No more of danger but of peace. 

Nor shall the glowing summits cease 

To light and cheer till they have rolled 

Their radiance with tidings told 

From town to town, from state to state. 

From Newburgh at the Highland gate 

To Lexington the famed and great. 

Where sturdy patriots took their stand, 

And fired the shot that freed the land. 



1 34 WA SHING TON. 



XII 

With white-winged peace to war farewell ! 

Now dissolution sounds the knell 

Of old association strong 

And precious for the army long 

Enrolled and led to conflict fierce, 

Or steadfast when disasters pierce 

The waiting heart. To keep alive 

These memories, though peace may drive 

O'er all the land dispersed the sons 

Of Mars, the chieftains meet by Hudson's 

Broad stream at Steuben's quarters, placed 

In Verplanck's house that Fishkill faced, 

And organize a band maintained 

To-day by their first-born. They feigned ' 

No secret purpose proud, averse 

To liberty, but would rehearse 

The cause of freedom, foster love 

Of union, honor, and above 

The lapse of time a brotherhood. 

A name revered of hardihood 

In danger, but in peace return 

To civic toil, they choose, and learn 

From Roman Cincinnatus grand '" 

To save and serve a grateful land. 

Their chosen president is one 

Like him of old, e'en Washington. 



NEWBURGH. 1 35 



XIII 

Now Newburgh, shorn of olden arms, 

Adorns herself with growing charms, 

And Hasbrouck's house as sacred keeps." 

There Uzal Knapp, last guardsman, sleeps 

In honor near the staff, where Scott 

Flung to the breeze the flag, whose spot 

Of slavery has been erased. 

A hundred years increasing graced 

The land with power, but unforgot 

The Highland memories slumber not. 

The solid tower of victory 

Commemorates the chivalry 

And prose and verse, the pageantr\s 

That celebration kept of days' 

Past excellence that passes praise. 

And in that year a social bond ^® 

Was knit of recollection fond 

And patriotic by the sons 

Of Revolution Washingtons. 

XIV 

With remnants of the famous host 
The hero leads to Southern coast 
And city by the sea the way 
Victorious, as Britain's day 



1 36 WA SUING TON. 



Of power wanes, and darkling sets. 
And in New York his farewell wets 
The eyes of all with painful tears. 
Before the Congress he appears 
To lay his sword, and then retires 
At home to rest, until desires 
Of union and of government 
Recall the chief to represent 
The nation in the chair of state. 
Secure foundations of the great 
And glorious future he had laid, 
When Time's fast flight but a decade 
Of brief years had encircling sped, 
And taken from the land its head. 
A halo rests round his person. 
And Freedom knows one Washington. 




NOTES TO CANTO FIRST 



1. Stanza /, line 6. The inauguration of Washington as 
President of the United States, in New York City, April 30, 
178Q, marked the practical commencement of a more efficient 
constitutional, federal union among the thirteen United States 
of America. The Constitution took the place of the imperfect 
Articles of Confederation, which were adopted by the Conti- 
nental Congress, Nov. 15, 1777, but did not go into operation 
until March 2, 1781. The war for independence was begun 
and prosecuted by the Continental Congress, composed of 
delegates from the various states. The first Congress met in 
Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774, and the second May 10, I775- 
These bodies exercised national powers with the hearty consent 
of the people at large. 

2. Stanza 2. The second staitza begins the enumeration of 
those historic forces which have contributed to the devel- 
opment of civilization and freedom in America. Hebraic re- 
ligion, Grecian art, philosophy, and politics, Roman rule and 
law (Stanza 3), and Germanic customs and chivalry (Stanza 4), 
are successively presented. 

j>. Stania j. The assistance of commerce and invention is 
here acknowledged, and in the succeeding stanza the service of 
Columbus is characterized. 

4. Stanza 6, line //. Christopher Columbus, discoverer of 
137 



38 WASHINGTON. 



America, was born in Genoa, Italy, about 1435, the eldest son 
of a cloth weaver, Domenico Columbo, of Genoa. Sent to 
the University of Pavia at the age of ten, he studied books of 
cosmography, history, philosophy, and other sciences having a 
bearing on navigation. Later he served twenty years in the 
Genoese marine. Shipwrecked when thirty-five, he proceeded 
to Lisbon, where his brother Bartholommeo was settled as a 
designer of charts. He remained in Portugal until 1484, sup- 
ported himself by drawing charts, made occasional voyages in 
the Atlantic, and married Felipa Monis de Palestrello, the 
daughter of a distinguished Italian navigator. The subject of 
a western passage to India being then discussed, Columbus 
matured views to the effect that the earth is spherical, that 
Asia extended to the parallel now indicated by 180° E. from 
Greenwich (the longitude of Behring Sea and New Zealand), 
that only a navigable ocean intervened, not more than one- 
third of the earth's circumference. Applying for aid to Genoa, 
he was refused, and to Portugal, he was delayed (1474-1484). 
He left Lisbon in 1484, and proceeded along the sea-coast to 
Palos, Spain, where he was befriended at a Franciscan monas- 
tery. Further applications to Genoa and Venice were unsuc- 
cessful. Columbus now turned to the Spanish court, and an 
ecclesiastical commission at Salamanca considered his project, 
and at last reported adversely in 1491. He next resolved to 
lay his project before Charles VIII. of France, but the prior of 
the monastery at Palos, convinced of the proofs, interceded 
with Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and secured him an 
interview. His demand of powers was refused, and he de- 
parted from Cordova, but was recalled, and Isabella offered to 
pawn the crown jewels to meet the necessary expenses of the 
expedition. An agreement was signed at Santa Fe, April 17, 
1492, and Columbus fitted out his expedition at Palos in three 
months. There were three ships. Columbus commanded the 
Santa Maria, a decked vessel, of ninety feet keel, with four 
masts, Martin Alonzo Pinzon the Pinta, and Vincent Yanez 



NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 1 39 



Pinzon the Nina — both caravals, or undecked boats. The 
ships were provisioned for a year and carried one hundred and 
twenty souls. They sailed from the roads of Saltez, near Palos, 
Friday morning, Aug. 3, 1492, left the Canaries Sept. 6th, 
and, after various vicissitudes of storm, mutiny, and imagined 
discovery, the Bahaman island of San Salvador was discovered 
Friday, Oct. 12, 1492, at two o'clock a.m., by Rodrigo Triana, 
a sailor of the Pinta. Columbus took possession of the island, 
and, later, of Cuba and Hayti. He returned to Palos March 
15, 1493. On his second expedition, which sailed with seven- 
teen ships from Cadiz, Sept. 34, 1493, he discovered Jamaica 
and Porto Rico, and founded a colony in Hayti. He returned 
to Cadiz June 11, 1496. He sailed on his third voyage with 
six ships, May 30, 1498, and discovered the Orinoco River. 
Arrested on account of the difficulties that had arisen in the 
colony at Hayti, he was sent to Spain. Released, he was 
given command of four caravels, with which he sailed from 
Cadiz May 9, 1502, coasted the south side of the Gulf of 
Mexico, and returned home Nov. 7, 1504. His claims for 
redress were denied, and at seventy years of age he died in 
poverty at Valladolid, Spain, May 20, 1506. His remains 
were transferred to the Carthusian monastery of Las Cuevas, 
1513, to the cathedral of St. Domingo, 1536, and to the cathe- 
dral of Havana, 1796, where they now repose. The word 
Columbus is from Columba, a dove (Gen. viii., 12). Christo- 
pher means Bearer of Christ, which in the form Chrestes sig- 
nified worth. See Tertullian's Apology, 3, and Lactantius, 
iv., 7. 

5. Stanza 8. The events alluded to are King Arthur's 
reign, who fell in battle in Cornwall 542, having defeated 
Cerdic, the Saxon, twelve times ; William's victory at Hast- 
ings, Oct. 14, 1066 ; Magna Charta granted by King John to 
the English barons June 15, 1215 ; the organization of the 
English Parliament, 1265 ; the Anglo-French wars, 1346- 
1450 ; the war of the Roses, 1460-1486 ; the fall of the 



1 40 WA SHING TON. 



papacy in England by the Act of Supremacy, Nov. 3, 1534, 
which declared Henry VIII. to be the Supreme Head of the 
Church. Charles I. was executed Jan. 30, 1649, the victim of 
a conspiracy of military officers. Cromwell's protectorate 
lasted from Dec. 16, 1653, until his death, Sept. 3, 1658. 

6. Stanza <?, line ly. Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third 
President of the United States, is the grandson of William 
Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States, and son 
of Benjamin Harrison, who was a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence and twice governor of Virginia. This Benjamin 
Harrison, 1 740-1 791, is reputed to be descended from Major- 
General Harrison, who was prominent in Cromwell's army, 
one of the protector's advisers, one of the triers of Charles I., 
1649, for which he was executed under Charles H., 1660. 
The English revolution of 16S9 expelled the despotic house of 
Stuart, and introduced the Hanoverian succession based on 
the Act of Settlement. 

7. Stanza g. Sir Walter Raleigh obtained his patent from 
Queen Elizabeth, and sent out expeditions to America in 1584, 
1585, 1586, 1587, 1595, and 1617. King James confiscated 
his patent, 1603, and granted the lands to the London and 
Plymouth Companies. The London Company settled Virginia 
at Jamestown, 1607. The Puritans settled in Massachusetts, 
1620, without knowledge of the Plymouth Company or the 
King. George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, obtained Maryland 
as a grant from Charles I, in 1632. The charter made out to 
his son, Cecil Calvert, secured to freemen in America a voice 
in the making of the laws, and made no distinction in favor 
of any Christian sect. 

The Dutch settled in New York and Albany about 1614. 
The New England colonies formed an union 1643 for mutual 
protection against the Dutch, French, and Indians. The plan 
of colonial union in 1754 failed, but the colonists assisted in 
gaining Canada from the French, 1759. The Whig aristocracy 
of England sought to impose the burden of war expenses upon 



NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. I4I 



the colonists, and the Stamp Act was passed in pursuance of 
this policy, 1765. The principle of taxation without represen- 
tation, thus involved, precipitated the loud debate in which 
Samuel Adams, 1722-1803, Patrick Henry, 1736-1799, and 
Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, were conspicuous. 

8. Stanza jo. Delegates from nine colonies met in New 
York in October, 1765, and passed the " Declaration of 
Rights." The second colonial Congress of twelve colonies met 
at Philadelphia Sept. 5, 1774, and recommended the sus- 
pension of all commercial intercourse with Great Britain. 

g. Stanza 11. The family to which George Washington 
belonged is traced in England to the twelfth century (one cen- 
tury after William won the crown at Hastings, 1066), and to 
the county of Durham, where William de Hertburn exchanged 
his estate, Ilartbaru on the Tees, for that of Wessyngton or 
Washington. John Washington was knighted by James I. in 
1623, and was loyal to Charles I. This led to emigration with 
his brother Lawrence to Virginia, about 1650. Pie settled in 
Westmoreland County, between the Potomac and Rappahan- 
nock Rivers. By his second wife, Ann Pope, he had a son 
Lawrence. Lawrence married Mildred Warner, by whom he 
had a son Augustine, the father of General George Washing- 
ton. Augustine married as second wife Mary Ball. George, 
their eldest son, was born Feb. 22, 1732, in a house situated 
half a mile from the junction of Pope's Creek with the Po- 
tomac. A stone now marks the spot where the house stood. 
Augustine Washington died 1743. His widow reared her 
family on the estate below Fredericksburg. Lawrence Wash- 
ington, half brother of General George Washington, served as 
captain with Admiral Vernon in the unsuccessful expedition 
against Carthagena, near the Isthmus of Panama, 1740, and 
named his estate on the Potomac Mount Vernon in honor of 
the admiral. Lawrence and George made a voyage to Barba- 
dos, Sept. 1 75 1, where the latter was attacked with small-pox, 
from which he was slightly marked through life. Lawrence 



142 WASHINGTON. 



died on his return to America, 1752, and the estate of Mount 
Vernon was given to George. By inheritance and by success- 
ful business management, George Washington v>'as, at the out- 
break of the revolution, one of the wealthiest men in America. 
At the time of Braddock's fatal expedition against Fort du 
Quesne, 1755, Washington in vain warned the commander of 
the danger of Indian warfare. When Braddock fell, he rallied 
the Virginian troops, and covered the retreat of the regulars. 

JO. Stanza 12. Four British regiments were sent to Boston, 
Sept., 1768. The soldiers fired on a crowd and killed three 
persons, March 5, 1770. A tax remaining on tea, some fifty 
men in disguise boarded tea-vessels at Boston, and threw 
the chests into the water, Dec. 16, 1773. For this the port 
was closed June i, 1774. An expedition of British troops to 
Concord and Lexington, near Boston, to destroy patriot stores, 
resulted in a bloody skirmish, and a disastrous retreat for the 
British, April 19, 1775. The Americans invested Boston, and 
the British dislodged them from their position on Bunker Hill, 
June 17, 1775, but with great loss to themselves, 

//. Stanza ij, line j. New Amsterdam, settled by the 
Dutch, 1614-1619, was surrendered to the English, 1664, and 
became New York. 

12. Stanza 14, line ij. In Irving's History of New York 
the voyage of Governor Peter Stuyvesant up the Hudson is de- 
scribed, during which the nose of Antony Van Corlear reflected 
a sunbeam into the water and killed a mighty sturgeon that 
was sporting beside the vessel. The bluff, from behind which 
the sun broke, was therefore called by the Governor Antony's 
Nose. 

7j. Stanza 14, linej4. Martelarwas the name of a French 
family that lived on Constitution Island, opposite West Point, 
about 1720. The rocks named for them rise abruptly from the 
river over one hundred feet. 

14. Stanza 14, line 40. The heights of these Highlands are 
as follows, ascending from south to north : 



NOTES TO CANTO FIRST, I43 



Left Side. Right Side. 

Dunderberg, 1098 feet. 



Bear Hill, 1350 feet. 



Independence Mt., 600 feet. 
Old Cro' Nest, 1428 feet. 

Storm King, 1529 feet. 



Manitou Mt., looo feet. 

Anthony's Nose, 1128 feet. 
Sugar Loaf, 865 feet. 
Redoubt Mt., 800 feet. 



Mt. Taurus, 1438 feet. 



Breakneck, 1187 feet. 
Beacon Hill, 1685 feet. 

75". Stanza 16, line 2. Bernard Romans, who planned the 
works, was an English engineer, who at that time held ihe 
same office in the British army. — Lossing's Field Book of the 
Rev., i., 703. 

16. Stanza ig. These visits to Constitution Island took 
place in 1776. Bancroft, United States, v., 76. 

ij. Stanza 20, line 7. Henry W. Warner, of the New York 
bar, bought Constitution Island in 1836. His daughters, 
Susan (b. 1818) and Anna B., were authors of a series of semi- 
religious novels, which had an extraordinary sale. Susan died 
1885. The titles of a number of their works are given in the 
stanza. 

18. Stanza 22, line 6. The dividing line between Rockland 
County on the south and Orange County on the north meets the 
Hudson at Poplopen's Creek. The remains of Fort Clinton 
are on the grounds of Mr. Stevens ; those of Fort Montgomery 
on the grounds of Mr. Pell. 

ig. Stanza 2j, line j". Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold 
captured the British post at Ticonderoga May 10, 1775. 
Arnold and Montgomery's expedition to Canada ended dis- 
astrously, Dec. 31, 1775. 

20. Stanza 24. The siege of Boston ended with the exit of 
the British, March 17, 1776. 



1 44 WA SHING TON. 



21. Stanza 2^. The attack on Fort Moultrie, Charleston, 
S. C, failed June 28, 1776. 

22. Stanza 26, line ij. July was named for Julius Caesar 
the year after the dictator's death, B.C. 43. Its former name 
was Quinctilis, or Fifth Month. 

2j. Stanza 2y. The Battle of Long Island was fought Aug. 
27, 1776. Washington retreated to New York the night of 
Aug. 29th. Capt. Nathan Hale crossed to Long Island to 
obtain information of the British plans, was arrested on sus- 
picion, and executed without trial, Sept. 22d. The British 
crossed to New York, and were resisted at Harlem, Sept. i6th. 
The affair at White Plains took place Oct. 28. Washington 
crossed the Hudson at King's Ferry, Peekskill, and joined 
General Greene at Fort Lee, Nov. 13th. The Hessians took 
Fort Washington, opposite, Nov. i6th. Lord Cornwallis hav- 
ing crossed the Hudson Nov. 20th, Washington retreated 
across New Jersey, and entered Pennsylvania, Dec. 8th. 

24. Stanza 28. Washington surprised the Hessians at 
Trenton Dec. 25th. Retreating toward Princeton, his ad- 
vance guard under General Mercer met the British, Jan. 3, 
1777. The Battle of Brandywine, near Wilmington, Del., 
was fought Sept. nth, that of Germantown, near Phila- 
delphia, Oct. 4th. Valley Forge, where the Americans estab- 
lished winter quarters, was on the Schuylkill River, twenty 
miles northeast of Philadelphia. 



NOTES TO CANTO SECOND 



/. Stanza /, line i_$. The Six Nations were the tribes of the 
Mohawks, Onondagas, Oneidas, Senecas, Cayugas, Tusca- 
roras, who were long time allied and known as the Five Na- 
tions, until in 17 14 the Tuscaroras of North Carolina joined 
the confederacy. This was then styled the Six Nations. The 
great council fire was kept burning by the Onondagas. This 
confederacy was a terror to the other Indian tribes. Lossing's 
Field Book of the Rev,, i., 109. Burgoyne, the British gen- 
eral, aided also by the Hessian hirelings, advanced from St. 
John's, June 15, 1777. 

2. Stanza 2. The Americans, under St. Clair, abandoned 
Ticonderoga July 5th. Fort Edward on the Hudson was the 
headquarters of the Army of the North under Major-General 
Philip Schuyler, who adopted a Fabian policy of delay. 

J. Stanza j, line i. The murder of Jane McCrea (see stanza 
19, line 19) occurred July 27, 1777. See Bancroft, United 
States, v., 164. 

4. Sta?izaj, line 21. Colonel St. Leger with a force made a 
diversion in the Mohawk Valley. He laid siege to Fort 
Schuyler, now Rome, Aug. 3, 1777. General Herkimer, ad- 
vancing to relieve the fort, fell at Oriskany, six miles distant, 
Aug. 6th. 

J-, Stanza J, line 2^. Colonels Baum and Breyman and their 
10 145 



1 46 WA SHING TON. 



forces were defeated at Bennington, Vt., by Colonel Stark 
and Colonel Warner and the militia of New Hampshire, 
Vermont, and Massachusetts, Aug. 16, 1777. 

6. Stanza j, Ihie 42. Gen. Horatio Gates was born in Eng- 
land, 1728, was made brigadier 1775, superseded Schuyler in 
command of the Northern army, March, 1777, was superseded 
by him in May, and was reinstated in the command by Con- 
gress, Aug. 4, 1777. His military fame was blasted by the 
disastrous battle of Camden, S. C, Aug. 6, 1780. On the 
C(mclusion of peace he retired to his estate in Virginia. He 
removed, 1790, to New York, after emancipating all his 
slaves. He died in New York, April 10, 1806. 

7. Stanza 4^ line 4. General Howe and Admiral Howe 
sailed from New York in July, 1777, for the Brandywine and 
Germantown campaigns. 

8. Stanza J, line i. Clinton left New York Saturday, Oct. 
4. 1777) to effect an union with Burgoyne. 

9. Stanza 6, line 26. Capt. William Kidd was a New York 
shipmaster, commissioned by William HI., King of England, 
in 1696, to suppress piracy. He and his crew turned pirates, 
and plundered ships along the coast of Malabar and Mada- 
gascar. He returned in 1698 to New York, and buried a 
portion of his treasures on Gardiner's Island, at the East end 
of Long Island. His treasure was also said to be buried at 
the base of Dunderberg on the Hudson, and below Storm King 
at a place named Plug Point or Kidd's Point. Scandalous 
reports led to his arrest, and he was executed in I^ondon, May 
24, 1 701. Many attempts have been made to discover his 
abandoned wealth. — New Amer. Cyc. 

10. Stanza 7, line i, lona Island lies on the west shore of 
the Hudson, a few miles north of Dunderberg. It is named for 
its resemblance to lona Island, which is near the western coast 
of Scotland, about fifty miles west from Oban. lona was pre- 
sented to the Irish monk Columba, 563 A.D., who founded a 
church and monastery there, and from the island as head- 



NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 1 47 



quarters labored for the Christianization of Scotland, — Schaff, 
Ch. Hist., iv., 65 scq. 

11. Stanza <?, line 7. Gen. George Clinton was governor of 
the State 1777-1795. In 1777 he was appointed brigadier- 
general of the United States. Gen. Richard Montgomery fell 
at Quebec, Dec. 31, 1775. For these men the forts were 
named. 

12. Stanza S, line g. Capt. Thomas Machin, engineer, con- 
structed also the obstructions across the Hudson below New- 
burgh, 1778, and assisted in the engineering operations at 
Yorktown, when Cornwallis was captured, 1781. — Lossing's 
Field Book of Rev., i., 705. 

ij. Stanza <?, line 20. Pollopel's Isle lies in the Hudson 
above Breakneck Mountain, near the east shore. A pretty 
story of its being named for Mary (Polly) Pell will be found in 
Stories of the Hudson, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York. 

14. Stanza 9, line 4. Gen. Israel Putnam was born in Salem, 
Mass., Jan, 7, 1718. He died in Brooklyn, Conn., May 19, 
1790. Counties are named for him in many states. In New 
York, the southern part of Duchess County, 241 square miles 
in extent, was erected into a separate county, named Putnam, 
June 12, 1812. 

75. Stanza jo, line i. The Clinton here mentioned was an 
adherent of Charles I. , who fled to Ireland after the defeat of the 
royalists. His grandson, Charles Clinton, was born in Long- 
ford, Ireland, in 1690, and chartered a ship to come to America 
with friends, 1729. The captain's attempted starvation of his 
passengers suggested a mutiny, which was prevented by a land- 
ing effected at Cape Cod, Oct. 4, 1729. The place for a per- 
manent settlement was selected in 1731 in Orange County, six 
miles west from the Hudson and sixty miles north from New 
York. In 1756 Clinton was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and 
served with his sons James and George in the expedition 
against Fort Frontenac, now Kingston, Canada, in the French 
war. 



1 48 WA SHING TON. 



16. Stanza 10, line 7. Gen. James Clinton was born Aug. q, 
1736, and died Dec. 22, 1812. Gen. George Clinton, three 
years younger (born July 26, 1739), died before his brother, 
although in the same year — April 20, 1812. 

77. Stanza 11, line i. Sir Henry Clinton was grandson of 
Francis, sixth earl of Lincoln, served in the Hanoverian War, 
and was sent to America as major-general in 1775. 

18. Stanza 11 , line g. Logan is Major Logan, of the 
American force. 

jg. Stanza 11, line i^. The Horse Race is that part of the 
Hudson River which lies between Peekskill Bay and the bend 
at Anthony's Nose. 

20. Stanza 11, line 22. Doodletown is now Queensboro', 
town of Monroe, Orange County. 

21. Stanza 12^ line 2. Campbell is Lieutenant-Colonel 
Campbell of the British force, mentioned in the preceding 
stanza. 

22. Stanza 12, line g. Livingston is Lieutenant-Colonel 
Livingston, sent by Governor Clinton. 

2j. Stanza 12^ line /j". Commodore Hotham commanded 
the British naval force. 

24, Stanza 12^ line 22. Lossing says : " Count Grabowski, 
a brave Pole, and Lord Rawdon led the grenadiers to the charge 
on Fort Montgomery." He " fell at the foot of the ramparts 
of Fort Montgomery, pierced by three bullets. He gave his 
sword to a grenadier with a request that he would convey it to 
Lord Rawdon, with the assurance of the owner that he died as 
a brave soldier ought to. A pile of stones still marks the burial- 
place of the count." — Lossing, Fd. Bk. of Rev., i., 736. 

^5. Stanza 12, line 2j. Francis Rawdon Hastings, born 
1754, was afterward conspicuous at the battles of Monmouth, 
1778, and Camden, 1780: was created Baron Rawdon, and in 
1812 Governor-general of India. He was created Marquis of 
Hastings 1816, and died 1826. 

26. Stanza /j, line 12. Continental Village lies at the south- 



NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 1 49 



eastern end of Philiptown, about four miles northeast from 
Peekskill, and as many miles due east from the Hudson. 

2y. Stanza 14, line 26. Molly Pitcher was an Irish woman. 
She was conspicuous at the battle of Monmouth for working a 
field-piece after the death of her husband in battle. For this 
Washington gave her a sergeant's commission. At the close of 
the war she lived on the road between Fort Montgomery and 
Highland Falls. See Canto 3, stanza 7, and note. 

28. Stanza ij, line i. The British loss was 140. 

2g. Stanza /j, Ii7ie4. Allison was colonel of a regiment from 
Goshen. Lieutenant-Colonel McClaughry was in command of 
Col. James Clinton's regiment from New Windsor, near New- 
burgh. Major Zachariah Du Bois commanded Col. Jesse 
Woodhull's regiment from Cornwall, when he was made pris- 
oner. Livingston and Bruyn were lieutenant-colonels, Logan 
and Hamilton were majors, 

JO. Stanza /j", line 11. The Sugar House stood in Liberty 
Street east of Nassau Street, New York City, where it was 
built in 1689 in the days of Leisler. Its use as a prison by the 
British is described in BooiWs History of N'ew York, pp. 514- 
520. After the war it was returned to its original use. In 
1840 it was torn down. A monument to the patriots who died 
there, and in the prison ship Jersey, stands in Trinity Church- 
yard, New York. 

j>/. Stanza 16, line 11. See Headley's Washington and 
His Generals, ii., 174. 

32. Stanza ij. See Bolton's History of Westchester County, 
i., 162 ; also histories of Orange and Rockland Counties. 

jj». Stanza 18, line i. Capt. Valentine Mott had been left 
in charge of Fort Constitution. He forsook this Oct. 7th, 

1777. 

j4. Stanza 18, line 3. Barracks were constructed at Con- 
tinental Village in 1777 to accommodate two thousand men. 
A large number of cattle and a great quantity of military stores 
had been collected there. General Tryon's detachment in- 



1 50 JVA SHING TON. 



eluded Emerich's chasseurs and other Germans, with a three- 
pounder. They destroyed the settlement Oct. gth. 

jj-. Stanza 18, line 2g. Nelson's Ferry ran between Gee's 
Point on the west shore and the island opposite. A lighthouse 
stands now on Gee's Point, 

^6. Stanza jg. The expedition up the Hudson consisted of 
three thousand six hundred men under General Vaughan, car- 
ried in a flying squadron of light frigates under Sir James 
Wallace. Kingston was burned Oct, 13, 1777. Instead of 
relieving Burgoyne, who surrendered after the battles of Still- 
water, Oct, 7th. and Saratoga or Bemis's Heights, Sept. 19th, 
at Schuylerville, Oct, 17, 1777, the expedition devoted itself 
to marauding, 

j>7. Stanza 20, line j. The Governor is Gov. George 
Clinton. 

jS. Stanza 20, line 8. Burgoyne had urged Sir Henry 
Clinton to make a diversion in his favor. Clinton was eager to 
comply; "but a reinforcement of troops from Europe, ex- 
pected for several weeks, was still delayed. This force, 
amounting to almost two thousand men, under General 
Robertson, arrived at the beginning of October. Having 
sailed in Dutch bottoms, they were three months on the 
voyage," — hossiug's I^ield Book, i., 733. The resistance at 
Forts Clinton and Montgomery was not in vain. It delayed 
the expedition of Clinton, and taught the British caution, 
giving them a fresh taste of American determination and 
resistance. 



NOTES TO CANTO THIRD 



/. Stanza 2. The repulse of the Hessians under Count 
Donop at Red Bank, near Philadelphia, occurred Oct. 22, 
1777. The bombardment of Fort Mifflin occurred Nov. 10- 
15, 1777. The Americans were commanded by Major Simeon 
Thayer, of Rhode Island, and Major Fleury, a French En- 
gineer. — Bancroft, United States, v., 198. 

2, Stanza j. Valley Forge is described in Lossing's Field 
Book, ii., 125-8 ; also the cabal of General Conway and other 
foreign-born officers against Washington, prompted by Gates's 
success against Burgoyne. 

J. Stanza 4. The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual 
Union, having been matured by the Continental Congress, 
were adopted Nov. 15, 1777, to be submitted for approbation 
to the several States. See note on Canto, i., St. i, line 6. 
The delegates signed the Articles July 9, 1778, with a sub- 
scription which began : "And whereas it hath pleased the 
great Governor of the world to incline the hearts of the legis- 
latures we respectively represent in Congress to approve of, 
and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation 
and Perpetual Union, Know ye," etc. 

4. Stanza j. On Feb. 6, 1778, a treaty of amity and 
commerce and an eventual defensive treaty of alliance were 
concluded between the King of France and the United States. 

J". Stanza^, line 21. The statue of the Goddess of Liberty 
enlightening the world, designed by M. Bartholdi, a French 
151 



152 WASHINGTON. 



sculptor, and contributed by popular subscriptions in France, 
was formally presented to the United States Oct. 26, 1886. 
The pedestal was built by popular subscriptions in the United 
States. The total height is 306 feet. 

6. Stanza 6, line i. Written June 18, 1889, one hundred 
and eleven years after the departure of Sir Henry Clinton from 
Philadelphia, to whom Lord Howe relinquished the command 
of the British forces, 17,000 strong. The festival given to 
Lord Howe, May 18, 1776, is described by Bancroft, United 
States, v., 269. 

7. Stanza 6, line 8. The rejoicing at Valley Forge over the 
French alliance took place May 6, 1778. 

8. Stanza 7, line 6. The Battle of Monmouth was fought 
June 28, 1778. 

g. Stanza 7, line ly. See Canto 2, stanza 14 and note. 

10. Stanza 8, line 4. The massacre of Wyoming on the Sus- 
quehanna was perpetrated in July, 1778, by a body of eleven 
hundred tories and Indians under Col. John Butler and the 
Indian chief Brandt. 

77, Stanza 8, line 12. Nikolaus Ludwig, Count of Zinzen- 
dorf and Pottendorf, founder of the revived sect of Moravians 
or United Brethren, born in Dresden, Saxony, May 26, 1700, 
took orders in 1734, visited North America, 1741-1743, and 
established the first Indian Moravian congregation in America 
at Shekomeco. 

12. Stanza 8, line 16. Thomas Campbell's Gertrude of 
Wyoming, published 1809, adopts the Spencerian stanza, eight 
pentameters followed by a closing hexameter. 

7j. Stanza <?, line 27. The British, under Colonel Camp- 
bell, took Savannah, Dec. 29th, 1778. 

14. Stanza 9, line 20. The celebration of the French alli- 
ance at Pluckemin, N. J., occurred Feb. 6, 1778. Washing- 
ton's " Rock " is near Middlebrook. 

75. Stanza 10, line 2. In November, 1889, four States 
were admitted to the Union : North Dakota, South Dakota, 
Montana, and Washington. In 1890 Idaho and Wyoming 



NOTES TO CANTO THIRD. 1 53 



were admitted. Total in 1893, forty-four. Utah, admitted in 
1895, makes forty-five. 

16. Stanza lo, line 20. Col. George Rogers Clarke, of Vir- 
ginia, marched from the Falls of the Ohio, in the Spring of 
1778, and took Vincennes, capital of Knox county, Ind., Feb. 
20, 1779. 

77. Stanza 10, line 36. Louisville was settled during 
Colonel Clarke's expedition, 1778, and in 1780 the Virginia 
legislature named it Louisville, in honor of Louis XVL of 
France. 

18. Stanza 11, line 8. In May, 1779, Clinton sent 2500 
men, under General Matthews, to the Chesapeake. 

ig. Stanza 11, line /j". In June, 1779, Clinton captured 
Stony Point and Verplanck's Point, which lie on the Hudson 
River opposite one another, about thirteen miles south of 
Cold Spring. 

20. Stanza 12, line i. Early in July, 1779, General Tryon, 
late governor of New York, ravaged the coast towns of Long 
Island Sound. 

21. Stanza /j, line i. Gen. Anthony Wayne was born at 
Waynesborough, Chester County, Penn., Jan. i, 1745, died at 
Erie, Penn., Dec. 14, 1796. His grandfather, Anthony Wayne, 
a native of Yorkshire, England, emigrated to Wicklow, Ire- 
land, and in 1722 to Pennsylvania. 

22. Stanza 14, line ij. See Lossing's Pictorial Field Book 
of the Revolution^ i., 742. 

2j, Stanza ij, line ^. Washington was at West Point July 
25-Nov. 28, 1779. Before this his headquarters were at New 
Windsor, near Newburgh, June 23d, where presumably the 
plan against Stony Point was matured. On July 1st General 
Wayne was appointed to the command of the light infantry of 
the line, and was stationed near Dunderberg, between Fort 
Montgomery and the main army under General Putnam at 
Smith's Clove, far in the rear of Haverstraw. 

24. Stanza 16, line j. For the story of Pompey, see Los- 
sing's Field Book of the Revolution^ i., 744. 



1 5 4 ^^'^ SHING TON. 



2^. Stanza i6, line 28. Peter Muhlenberg was born at 
Trappe, Penn., Oct. 11, 1746, sou of Henry Melchior Muhlen- 
berg, D.D., founder of the German Lutheran Church in 
America. He was ordained in England, and preached at 
Woodstock, Va., where, at the breaking out of the Revolu- 
tionary War, he formed a regiment of his parishioners. He 
participated in several battles, and was made brigadier-general 
in 1777, and major-general at the close of the war. He served 
in Congress, and was collector of the port at Philadelphia when 
he died, Oct. i., 1807. 

26. Stanza t6, line jj. Maj. John Stewart received a medal 
from Congress for his bnivery. 

2y. Stanza 16, line 37. De Fleury was descended from 
Cardinal De Fleury, prime minister to Louis XV. He came to 
America soon after 1776, and Washington obtained him a com- 
mission. For his gallantry at Brandyvvine Congress gave him 
a horse. For his gallantry at Stony Point Congress gave him 
a medal. Lieut. -Col. De Fleury returned to France soon 
after this. 

28. Stanza 16, line 42. Gibbon and Knox were lieutenants. 
They were brevetted captains. 

2g. Stanza 16, line 48. Butler was a colonel, Murfey a major. 

JO. Stanza 17, line 22. Fishbrow and Archer were General 
Wayne's aides, 

j>/. Stanza ly, line jy. Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, of 
the seventh foot, was in command of the British force. 

j2. Stanza 77, line 41. Wayne received the thanks of Con- 
gress and a gold medal. 

jj. Stanza 18, line jo. Maj. -Gen. Robert Howe was de- 
layed in his attack on Verplanck's Point, and Clinton reinforced 
the garrison. 

^4. Stanza 18, line 3. The works at Stony Point were de- 
stroyed on the night of July i8th, after the removal of ord- 
nance and stores. The British took possession again July 
20th. Some of the ordnance was sunk by the British on its 
removal on a galley to West Point. 



NOTES TO CANTO FOURTH 



1. Stanza /, line i. The name West Point describes a prom- 
ontory on the west bank of the Hudson, distant about fifty 
miles north of New York. On top is a level plateau one 
hundred and fifty-seven feet above tide water. The ground 
covered by the United States reservation is traced legally to 
the Congreve Patent of May 17, 1723, which calls it "The 
Stony Point on the west side of Hudson River opposite to 
Matler's Rock, and the Moore Patent of March 25, 1747, 
both of which were deeded to the United States for $11,065 
Sept. 10, 1790. An additional tract was purchased in 1824, 
and the State of New York ceded jurisdiction over these por- 
tions of its territory, taken from Cornwall township, Orange 
County, in 1826. An enlargement of the reservation was 
purchased in 1889, The acreage at present is 2330 acres. 
Population about 1600. 

2. Stanza /, line 20. Hudson's Half Moon, anchored at 
Cohn's Hook, about two miles south of West Point, Sept. 14, 
1609. 

J. Stanza /, line 24. Buttermilk Falls are sometimes called 
Highland Falls. 

4. Stanza 2, line i. North of Anthony's Nose the Noch- 
peems held the chieftaincy in three villages of the Keskist- 
koncks, Pasquasheck, and Nochpeem on the Hudson. The 
155 



156 WASHINGTON. 



principal village, Canopus, was named from their Sachem, who 
lived on a hill in the southeast part of the present town of 
Putnam Valley. See Ruttenber's Indian Tnbes of the Hudson 
River, p. 80. 

J-. Stanza 2, line ij. Shatemuc means Swan's Neck, and 
refers specially to the shape of the Hudson as it winds around 
West Point and Constitution Island. 

6. Stanza 2, line 20. The English rule succeeded to the 
Dutch in 1664. Patents then were issued from the English 
crown. See note on Stanza i, line i. 

7. Stanza j, line 75. Gen. Samuel H. Parsons arrived 
January, 1778. He was a native of Connecticut, and after the 
war, in 1787, he was appointed one of the judges of the 
Northwestern Territory. He was drowned in the Ohio, in 
December, 1789. 

8. Stanza J, line I y. Lieutenant-Colonel (afterward Colonel) 
La Radiere, was one of four French engineers secured by 
Franklin and Deane, and commissioned by Congress. Radiere 
died in the service in 1780. 

g. Stanza j, line ig. Col. Thaddeus Kosciuszko executed 
La Radiere's plans. Kosciuszko was born in Lithuania in 
1736, of an ancient and noble family, educated at the military 
school of Warsaw and in France. Franklin recommended him 
to Washington, who made him an aide. In October 1776, 
Congress appointed him colonel of engineers. In 1794 Poland 
made him military dictator. Imprisoned by the Russian 
Empress Catherine, he was released by Paul, whose honors he 
refused. In 1797 he visited the United States. Congress voted 
him a grant of land. Returning to Switzerland, he died there 
Oct. 16, 18 1 7. His remains were taken to Cracow. 

10. Stanza j>, line 22. Fort Putnam, on Mount Independ- 
ence, six hundred feet above tide water, was built by Col. 
Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts regiment, and it was named for 
the Colonel in the spring of 1778. 

//. Stanza J, line 24. Samuel Wyllys was commissioned 



NOTES TO CANTO FOURTH. 1 57 



colonel from Connecticut July i, 1775. Samuel B. Webb was 
commissioned colonel from Massachusetts June i, 1777. 

12. Stanza 3, line 27. The name Fort Arnold was changed 
to Fort Clinton in 1780. 

13. Stanza 4, line 12. The headquarters of General Wash- 
ington were at West Point, July 25-Nov. 28, 1779. 

14. Stanza 4, line ig. John Nixon was born at Farmingham, 
Mass., March 4, 1725, was one of the Minute Men at Lexing- 
ton, and headed his regiment at Bunker Hill, 1775. He was 
commissioned a brigadier-general Aug. 9, 1776. On account 
of ill-health he resigned his commission in 1780. He died 
March 24, 181 5. 

75. Stanza 6, line i. Major Henry Lee, of Virginia (1756- 
18 16), noted for the legion which he commanded. The ex- 
ploit at Paulus's Hook occurred Aug. 18, 1779. 

16. Stanza 7, line I. Generals Sullivan and James Clinton 
defeated the Indians and Tories at Newtown, now Elmira, 
Aug. 29, 1778. 

77. Stanza 8, line i. The engagement here celebrated took 
place Sept. 23, 1779, ^t night. 

j8. Stanza 9. Charleston fell May 12, 1780. The Battle of 
Camden was fought August 6th. The barracks at Fort 
Arnold were burned in the winter of 1 779-1 780. 

ig. Stanza 10. The engagement at Springfield, N. J., oc- 
curred June 23, 1780. The French fleet arrived in July. 
Washington and Rochambeau conferred first, Sept. 21, 1780. 

20. Stanza 11, Benedict Arnold born Jan. 3, 1740, died 
at London, June 14, 1801. 

21. Stanza 12. John Andre born, 1771. 

22. Stanza 7j>, line s- Teller's Point divides Croton Bay 
from Haverstraw Bay, on the Hudson. 

2j. Stanza 14, line 10. Crompond, now Yorktown, West- 
chester County, a railway station and post-office, six miles 
east of Peekskill. Here a party of sentinels under Captain 
Boyd caused a detention. 



158 WASHINGTON. 



24. Stanza 14, line ly. The present bridge over the Croton 
River, near the Croton dam, stands east of Pine Bridge. The 
Americans kept a strong guard there, as it was the chief point 
of communication between the lines. 

2^. Stanza 16, line jo. Andre was executed Oct. 2, 1780. 
His remains were removed Aug. 10, 1821, from Tappan, and 
buried in Westminster Abbey, near his monument, Nov. 28, 
1821. 

16. Stavza 77, line 14. This fete. May 31, 1782, is de- 
scribed in Boynton's Hist, of West Point, 

2^. Stanza j8, line 21. Col. Sylvanus Thayer, born at Brain- 
tree, Mass., 1785, studied at Dartmouth and West Point, 
where he was graduated, 1808. He served on the Canadian 
frontier and in Norfolk, Va., in the war of r8i2. He made a 
military trip to Belgium and France. Returning in 181 7, he 
was appointed superintendent of the West Point Military 
Academy, and remained there until 1833, when he was ap- 
pointed to construct the defences of Boston harbor. He was 
retired in 1862, and died September 7, 1872. 

28. Stanza ig, line i. Major Dade, with 117 men, was 
attacked by the Seminole Indians, Dec. 28, 1835, and all but 
four were killed. The party was marching from Tampa Bay, 
Florida, to relieve General Clinch at Fort Duane, near Orange 
Lake. The Seminole war was occasioned by the government's 
attempt to remove the Seminoles from Florida to land west of 
the Mississippi. 

2g. Stanza ig, line 8. Maj.-Gen. John Sedgwick was born 
in Connecticut, Sept. 13, 1813 ; graduated at West Point, 1837 ; 
served in Mexico ; was wounded at Antietam, and killed in 
the battle of the Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864. 

JO. Stanza ig, line ij. Capt. Roger Alden (i 754-1 836) was 
aide to General Greene, and later ordnance keeper at West 
Point. 

ji. Stanza ig, line 14. Alexander Ramsay Thompson 
(1794-1837) served in the war of 1812. Lieutenant-Colonel, 



NOTES TO CANTO FOURTH. 159 



1837, he was killed at Okee-cho-bee in Southern Florida in 
leading a desperate charge of his regiment against the Seminole 
Indians. 

32. Stanza jg, line i^. Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott (1786-- 
1866). Captain in r8o8 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, 1812. Served 
in the war of 1812. Brigadier-General, 1814 ; Major-General, 
1814 ; commander-in-chief, 1841. Served in the Mexican war. 
He entered the city of Mexico Sept. 14, 1847. 

jj. Stanza ig, line 16. Brig.-Gen, Robert Anderson (1805- 
1871). Graduated at West Point, 1825 ; served in Indian and 
Mexican wars; commanded Fort Sumter, Charleston, S. C, 
when it was bombarded thirty-six hours by the Confederates 
under General Beauregard, and surrendered April 14, 1861 ; 
Brigadier-General, May, 1861, and soon retired for ill health. 

j4. Stanza ig, line 18. Gen. Quincy Adams Gilmore (1825- 
1890), a noted engineer. 

SS- Stanza ig, line 20. Gen. George Armstrong Custer 
(1839-1876) noted in the civil war; slain by the Indians in 
Montana. 

j(5. Stanza ig, line 24. Gen. Ulysses Simpson Grant (April 
27, 1822-July 23, 1885) graduated at West Point, 1843 ; served 
as Lieutenant in the Mexican war, in California and Oregon. 
Captain, 1853, then farmer and clerk. Colonel of 21st Illinois 
in 1 861 ; General and commander-in-chief of the Army, 
1864-1869. President of United States, 1869-1877. Made 
tour of the world, 1 878-1 880. 

J7. Stanza ig, line 24. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman 
(Feb. 8, 1820-Feb. 14, 1891) graduated at West Point, 1840 ; 
lieutenant ; served in the Mexican war ; 1853, in business and 
practised law. Colonel of i6th Infantry, 1861 ; Brigadier- 
General in 1 861 ; Major-General in 1862 ; made the march 
through Georgia to the sea, 1S64; Lieutenant-General in 
1866 ; General in 1869 ; retired Feb. 8, 1884. 

jS. Stanza ig, line 24. Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan 
(March 6, 1831-Aug. 5, 1888) graduated at West Point 1853 ; 



1 60 WA SHING TON. 



lieutenant and captain, Colonel of 2d Mich. Cavalry, 1862 ; 
Brigadier-General, July i, 1862 ; Major-General, April, 1863 ; 
won the battle of Winchester, Va. ; Lieutenant-General, 
1869; commander of the Army, 1883; made General while 
dying, 1888. 

jg. Stanza ig, line 28. Gen. Robert Edward Lee (1807- 
1870), son of " Legion Harry" Lee. Graduated from West 
Point, 1829, second in a class of forty-six. Lieutenant in the 
Mexican war ; commanded West Point, 1852-55 ; Lieutenant- 
Colonel of 2d Cavalry ; made commander-in-chief of Con- 
federate forces in Virginia, 1861 ; surrendered to Gen. U. S. 
Grant at Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865 ; afterward president 
of Washington College, Va. 

40. Stanza ig, line 28. Gen. Pierre Gustave Toutant 
Beauregard (18 18-1893) was graduated second in the class of 
1838 at West Point, engineer ; served in Mexican war ; fired 
on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861 ; held various commands in 
the Confederate service, and surrendered to General Sherman, 
1865. 

41. Stanza ig, line 2g. Maj.-Gen. George Brinton Mc- 
Clellan (1826-1885) graduated second in the class of 1846 at 
West Point; served in Mexican war and in the West ; Major- 
General, 1861, and commander-in-chief until relieved after the 
battles of the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia, Nov. 7, 1862. 
He was a candidate for the Presidency in 1S64 ; was governor 
of New Jersey, 1879-1882. 

42. Stanza ig, line jo. Maj.-Gen. Henry Wager Halleck 
(1816-1872) was graduated third in the class of 1839 ; served 
in the Mexican war ; Major-General, 1861; commander-in- 
chief, 1862-1864. 



NOTES TO CANTO FIFTH 



/. Stanza 2^ line 4. Maj.-Gen. Francis John, Marquis de 
Chastellux, came to America with Rochambeau. He traveled 
extensively, and wrote a journal which was published — twenty- 
four copies in French, and an English version in 1787. 

2. Stanza J ^ line ig. The Constitution of the State of New 
York was adopted April 20, 1777. The Second Constitution 
was ratified by the people Jan. 15-17, 1822. The Third 
Constitution was adopted Nov, 3, 1846. 

J. Stanza 4, line 12. Enoch Crosby, born in Harwich, 
Mass., Jan. 4, 1750, served in Northern campaign of 1775, and 
after his return was engaged in the " secret service." He was 
a resident of Southeast, Putnam Co. 

4. Stanza 4, line 24. The Wharton House is now owned 
by Mr. Samuel Huestis, 1893. 

5. Stanza ^, line ^. Col. Matthew V. B. Brinckerhoff oc- 
cupied a house at the angle of the old post road and the new 
road to Fishkill Hook. 

6. Stanza 7, line 13. Table Rock is a rocky bluff which 
commands a fine view south, situated on the southwestern end 
of Mount Taurus, about eight hundred feet above the Hudson. 

7. Stanza y, line 20. This is a local tradition. The spring 
is often identified with that which supplies the pump directly 
east of the railway station, 

8. Stanza y^ line 21. Maj.-Gen. Daniel Butterfield, born in 
Utica, N. Y., Oct, 31, 1831, graduated 1849 at Union College, 
merchant in New York City, Colonel of 12th N. Y, Infantry, 

II 161 



1 62 WA SHING TON. 



i860, led advance over Long Bridge into Virginia, in actions 
in Virginia, Brigadier-General 1861, Major-General 1862, 
wounded at Gettysburg, where he was chief of staff, with Gen- 
eral Sherman in his campaign ; commanded in New York 
harbor, 1865-69 ; head of Sub-Treasury in New York ; married 
Sept. 21, 1886, in London, Mrs, Julia L. James, of New 
York ; president of bank at Cold Spring, where he resides dur- 
ing the summer at Cragside on the slope of Mount Taurus. 

9. Stanza 7, line 26. The date referred to is May i, 1889, 
the centennial of Washington's inauguration as President of 
the United States in New York, 

10. Stanza 7, line sg. At this time Benjamin Harrison was 
President of the United States. 

//. Stanza 7, line 32. An allusion to courtesies extended to 
General and Mrs. Butterfield, when they were traveling in 
Russia, 

12. Stanza <?, line 2. George P, Morris, an American poet 
and journalist, born in Philadelphia, Oct. 10, 1802, removed to 
New York, wrote many popular ballads, resided at Undercliff, 
at the base of Mount Taurus, Cold Spring, where he died, 
1864. He was also brigadier-general in the New York 
militia. 

/J, Stanza 8, line 12. The West Point Foundry was incor- 
porated 1818, and placed at Cold Spring. 

14. Stanza 8, line 2j. Hon. Gouverneur Kemble was for 
years president of the foundry company. He represented the 
district in Congress, 1837-1839, 1841-1843. 

/J. Stanza 8, line 2j. Capt. Robert P. Parrott, inventor of 
the Parrott gun, was identified with the foundry many years. 
He died much lamented, 1877. 

16. Stanza 8, line 24. James K. Paulding's family resided 
many years at Cold Spring. Mr. Paulding was a noted novel- 
ist, and also Secretary of the Navy, 1838-1841. 

ly. Stanza 9, line 13. Arnold's expedition occurred in 
January, 178 1. 



NOTES TO CANTO FIFTH. 163 



18. Stanza 10, line ^. Morgan checked Tarleton at Cow- 
pens, N. C, Jan. 17, 1781. 

ig. Stanza ii^ line 4. The Yorktown campaign was 
matured by Washington and Rochambeau at interviews, one 
at Newport, March 6, 1781, the other at Wethersfield, Conn., 
May 21, 1781. 

20. Stanza ii, line 41. General Arnold captured New 
London, Conn., Sept. 6, 1781. He took Fort Griswold on the 
opposite side of the Thames, and massacred the commander. 
Colonel Ledyard, and sixty of the garrison after the surrender. 

21. Stanza 12, litte i. The siege of Yorktown, Va. , began 
Sept 28, 1781. 

22. Stanza 12, line 7, The Duke de Lauzun had a corps 
of five hundred horsemen. 

2^. Stanza 12^ line 14. The charge was made toward the 
evening of Oct. 14, 1781. 

24. Stanza 12, line i^. Col. Alexander Hamilton com- 
manded a battalion of light infantry. The other officers are 
Major Nicholas Fish, of New York. Capt. Aaron Ogden, of 
New Jersey, who led the van ; Col. John Laurens of South 
Carolina, Major Gibbs, commander of Washington's Life- 
Guard ; Colonel Gimat, La Fayette's aide. 

2^. Stanza 12^ line ig. The French officers here mentioned 
are Maj.-Gen. the Baron de Viomenil, who commanded the 
French detachment of grenadiers and chasseurs ; Count Ma- 
thieu Dumas, one of Rochambeau's aides ; Count De Deux- 
Ponts, who led the grenadiers ; Count Charles De Lameth, the 
adjutant-general ; De Sireuil, a very young captain of yagers, 
wounded three times. 

26. Stanza ij, line 10. Major-General O'Hara represented 
Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, son of the first Earl of Corn- 
wallis, who entered the British army, 1759. Afterward he was 
Governor of India and Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. 

27. Stanza /j>, line ig. Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Lincoln had 
been obliged to surrender at Charleston, 1780, to Sir Henry 
Clinton. 



NOTES TO CANTO SIXTH 



/. Stanza 7, line j>. Orange County was one of the ten 
original counties into which New York State was divided, 
Nov. I, 1683. 

2. Stanza /, line 11. The Palatine immigrants were in New - 
burgh in 1709. Those who found their way to England in 
1708 were sent to Quassaick, below Newburgh. They were a 
part of the Swiss contingent in the allied army under the Prince 
of Orange. Of these ten thousand were sent to America by 
England, and located mainly in Columbia and Ulster Counties. 
A patent was issued for Newburgh, Dec. 18, 1719. About 
1750 the Dutch and Huguenots came in. 

J. Stanza 2, line 26. The monument was erected July 22, 
1822, in memory of those who fell at the battle of Minnisink, 
July 22, 1779. 

^. Stanza J, line 2. George Clinton, July 26, 1739-April 
20, 1812, governor of New York 1777-1795 and 1801-1804 ; 
vice-president of the United States, 1805-1812. 

5. Stanza ^^ line 4. James Clinton, Aug. 9, 1736-Dec. 22, 
1812. 

6. Stanza 3, line S- DeWitt Clinton, March 2, 1769-Feb. 
II, 1828. Commissioners for the Canal Route were appointed 
in 1 8 10. Governor Clinton began the Canal at Rome, July 4, 
1817. He entered a packet-boat at Buffalo, Oct. 26, 1S25, 

164 



NOTES TO CANTO SIXTH. 1 65 



and arrived at New York Nov. 4th. To this canal New York 
owes much of its commercial supremacy. 

7. Stanza 3, line 12. The full names of colonels are Col. 
Lewis Du Bois, Col. William Allison, Col. John Hathorn, 
Col. Jesse Woodhull, Col. James Clinton, Col. Jonathan 
Hasbrouck. 

<?. Stanza 4, line 4. Plum Point, at the north bank of Mur- 
derer's Creek, contains eighty acres. Captain Machin's battery 
had fourteen guns. Chevaux de frise stretched across to 
Pollepel's Island, 1776. 

g. Stanza 4, line 7. For a romantic account of the naming 
of Pollepel's Island (Polly Pell, or Mary Pell), see Stories of 
the Hudson^ G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York. 

JO. Stanza 4, line 20. Washington's headquarters were at 
the Ellison House, New Windsor, June, 1779, from the autumn 
of 1780 through the summer of 1781. 

11. Stanza 5, line j. The Hasbrouck House takes its name 
from Jonathan Hasbrouck, grandson of one of the Huguenot 
founders of Newburgh. It was completed in 1770. Wash- 
ington resided there from the spring of 1782 until August 18, 
1783. 

12. Stanza 6, line 10. Washington's reply is dated May 22, 
1782. 

ij. Stanza 7, line 28. Maj.-Gen. Alexander McDougall 
commanded the First Division, including the First Brigade (2d 
and 4th Conn, and R. I. regiments), under Colonel Swift, and 
the Second Brigade (ist, 5th, 9th Conn.) under Brigadier- 
General Huntington. 

14. Stanza 7, line jo. Maj.-Gen. Arthur St. Clair (a native 
of Edinburgh, Scotland) commanded the Second Division, in- 
cluding the First Brigade (ist and 2d N. Y. regiments) under 
Colonel Courtland, and the Second Brigade (ist and 2d N, J.) 
under Colonel Dayton. 

75". Stanza 7, line 34. Maj.-Gen. William Heath was a 
native of Roxbury, Mass. Burgoyne's captured army was in his 



1 66 WA SHING TON. 



custody. From 1779 ^^ commanded on the Hudson until the 
close of the war. He published interesting Memoirs. He 
died in 1814, the last survivor of the major-generals of the 
Revolution. 

16. Stanza y ^ line j6 . Maj. -Gen. Lord Stirling commanded 
the First Division, including the First Brigade (loth Mass., 
ist and 2d N. H. regiments) under Colonel Tupper (?), and 
the Second Brigade (ist 4th and 7th Mass.) under Colonel 
Sheppard. 

77. Stanza 7, line jg. Maj. -Gen. Robert Hovi^e (of North 
Carolina) commanded the Second Division, including the First 
Brigade (2d, 5th and 8th Massachusetts regiments) under Briga- 
dier-General Patterson, and the Second Brigade (3d, 6th and 
9th Mass.) under Colonel Greaton, 

18. Stanza 8, line 13. Crompond is now Yorktown post- 
office. The lakes Mohegan and Mohansic are in Yorktown 
township, Westchester County, about six miles east from 
Peekskill. 

ig. Stanza 9, line 2. The American army was at Peekskill 
to receive the French Sept. 14, 1782. Rochambeau remarked 
to Washington, " You have formed an alliance with the King 
of Prussia. These troops are Prussians," On the 20th the 
French were reviewed ; on the 21st the Americans. On the 
24th the French encamped at Crompond, The American 
camp was at Verplanck's Point, The French broke camp 
October 22d. The Americans began their march to New 
Windsor October 26th, 

20. Stanza 9, line 11. Sachoes' brook, probably now Arden's 
brook, which empties into the Hudson. 

21. Stanza g, line 28. The State Camp for the instruction 
of the National Guard of the State of New York, at Roa Hook, 
was opened in 1883. 

22. Stanza 9, line ^4. Rev. Geo. Whitefield preached in the 
parlors of the Birdsall mansion on the south side of Main 
Street near Division Street, Peekskill, removed many years 



NOTES TO CANTO SIXTH. 1 67 



ago. Whitefield's visit to Peekskill was about 1770. Garrick 
said that Whitefield could make his audience weep or tremble 
merely by varying his pronunciation of the word Mesopotamia. 

^j. Stanza 9, line j8. Chauncey Mitchell Depew was born 
April 23, 1834, at Peekskill. A graduate of Yale College, a 
lawyer, and Railroad president ; his oratorical gifts made him 
popular and influential at home and abroad. 

24. Stanza jo, line 11. Washington called this meeting 
March ii, 1783. It was held, and he addressed the officers 
March 15th in the Temple, or New Building, at New Wind- 
sor. The proposed mutiny which he averted was secretly in- 
spired by General Gates, whose aide-de-camp, Maj. John 
Armstrong, drafted the address to the officers, which excited 
Washington's alarm. 

^5. Stanza 10, line ly. The date of the circular varies with 
the time of emission to the governors of the several States. 
They were requested to communicate it to their respective 
legislatures. 

26. Stanza 10, line 28. Nathaniel Parker Willis (1807-1867), 
journalist and poet, was a friend of George P. Morris, and 
occupied a country-seat, '* Idlewild," at Cornwall, four miles 
south of Newburg. 

2^. Stanza, 10 line jo. Rev. E. P. Roe, a retired Presby- 
terian clergyman, who wrote many popular semi-religious 
novels, 1878-1888, had a country residence at Cornwall. 

28. Stanza 11, line j. Cessation of hostilities was publicly 
proclaimed April 19, 1783. 

2g. Stanza Ji, lineq. Adams was afterward vice-president 
with Washington, and succeeded him as President, 1797-1801. 
Franklin became president of Pennsylvania and delegate to 
the Federal Constitutional Convention. He died 1790. Henry 
Laurens had been president of the Continental Congress, 1776- 
1778, had been captured by the British while on a mission to 
Holland, and imprisoned until 1781 in the Tower of London. 
The last years of his life were devoted to agriculture. He died 



1 68 WASHINGTON. 



in 1792, and his remains were, at his request, cremated. John 
Jay was afterwards chief-justice of the United States under 
the Constitution whose adoption he advocated, and governor 
of New York. From 1801 to 1829, the time of his death, he 
lived in retirement at Bedford, N. Y. 

JO. Stanza 11, line 11. The British Commissioners were 
Richard Oswald, of Scotland, who had passed many years in 
America, Alleyne Fitzherbert, British Minister at Brussels, 
and Henry Strachey, under-secretary of State. 

J/. Stanza 11, line i^. The treaty was signed in Paris, Nov. 
30, 1782. 

^3. Stanza 11, line 2^. The Temple or Public Building at 
the encampment at New Windsor, erected Jan. 9-March 6, 
1783. General Heath, in his Memoirs, says : " Upon an emi- 
nence the troops erected a building, handsomely finished, with a 
spacious hall sufficient to contain a brigade of troops on Lord's 
days for public worship, with an orchestra at one end ; the 
vault of the hall was arched ; at each end of the hall were two 
rooms conveniently situated for the issuing of general orders, 
for the sittings of Boards of officers, court-martials, etc. , and 
an office and store for the quartermaster and commissary's de- 
partments. On the top was a cupola and flag-staff, on which 
a flag was hoisted occasionally for signals, etc." 

jj. Stanza 11, lineBj. Rev. John Gano (1727-1804), pastor 
of the First Baptist Church, N. Y. City, 1762-1788, an ardent 
patriot, who served some time as chaplain to General Clinton's 
New York brigade. 

J4.. Stanza 11, line 32. William Billings, born in Boston, 
Oct. 7, 1746, died there Sept. 26, 1800 ; earliest of American 
composers, produced a number of patriotic pieces, popular in 
the camp of the Revolutionary army. 

jj. Stanza 12, line 14, The Society of the Cincinnati was 
organized June 19, 1783, at the Verplanck House, two miles 
northeast of Fishkill-on-Hudson. In 1890 there were State 
societies in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New 



NOTES TO CANTO SIXTH. 1 69 



Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, and 439 living 
members. 

^6. Stanza 12, line 2j. Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus served 
as Consul at Rome, B.C. 460, but, owing to popular tumult, re- 
tired to his farm. The successes of the -^qui and Volsci led 
to his appointment as dictator, 458. The delegates, who were 
sent to announce his appointment, found him ploughing his 
own fields. His campaign against the enemy was successful. 
At its close he returned to Rome, and laid down his dictatorial 
power, after having held it only fourteen days, and returned 
to his farm. Appointed dictator again in 439, he delivered 
his country from Spurius Melius, a plebeian knight, who was 
aiming at kingly power. He retired again from his dictator- 
ship after a term of twenty-one days. 

^7. Stanza /j, line 3. The Hasbrouck House was deeded 
to the State of New York, 1849, and by an act of the Legisla- 
ture placed in the care of a board of trustees. 

38. Stanza ij, line 16. Society of Sons of the Revolution 
incorporated, 1883. 

J9. Stajiza 14. Washington entered New York, Nov. 25, 
1783, bade farewell to his general officers Dec. 4, 17S3, re- 
signed his commission Dec. 23, 1783, at Annapolis, served as 
President, 1789-1797, and died Dec. 14, 1799. 



